Me After You Page 27
I’ve taken a few tumbles, some unavoidable nosedives. There have been times when I have had to let life carry me some of the way. At times, I let myself stay down. But, today I’m standing. And that’s all that I can ask for.
After I leave my bakery, I head for Timberpond Park. I spot Dean making his way down the pathway. His shorter brown hair is disheveled, flickering with the breeze. He peers over at the willow tree along the bank of the tranquil pond, and a smile turns up the corner of his lips. When he looks up and sees me the smile grows. His entire face brightens and I know everything is right in the world.
I was never able to see myself without Dean. I know why now. I couldn’t walk away from him if I tried. He’s made me realize I don’t have to do this alone. He’ll stand by me through it all. I heal a little more every day with his help.
I’ve made peace with losing Grayson. My heart misses him, but it copes better with losing him than I thought it ever would. He wasn’t the one I was supposed to spend my life with. He was a scenic detour along the way. We may not always understand the reasons why things happen, but things fall into place when it’s their time. This is our time. Dean’s and mine. And I’m going to revel in every moment we have together because I know now how easily those moments can be taken away.
“Daddy!” Abigail bolts from my side, making a beeline through the grass, straight for Dean. He squats down to his knees and captures her in his arms.
“Hi, baby girl,” I hear him murmur into her long, dark curls.
I wouldn’t be able to do it without Dean. Every day he pushes me to be stronger, to believe in myself. He’s helped to mend my broken past, our broken past. And every day I try to be the light he so desperately wants—that he so desperately needs.
Dean stands with our daughter in his arms and rests her on his hip as he makes his way over to me. She grins and kisses his stubbled cheek, securely wrapping her little arms around his neck.
“Mommy, I found Daddy!” She beams.
“I see that.”
Dean takes my hand and softly kisses my sparrow. “Hey, Jack,” he says, and I smile. He kneels down with Abigail in his arms and rubs my belly before kissing it. “Hi, baby.” Gentleness caresses his voice.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. That I don’t miss you and the life we never had, the life you never got the chance to experience. It would be impossible for me to forget you. Though I only knew you for a few weeks, and though those few weeks were terrifying, I loved you all the same.
I know life happens. We can’t control what is thrown at us, but we can decide how we’re going to respond. I choose to stand with hope. In the end, hope is all we have, but as long as I have that, I know there will be better days. I know I will be able to withstand anything.
We live. We learn. We endure.
So I guess this is me.
After you.
Acknowledgements
This book is my heart and soul, but if not for the support and encouragement of all my people it would still be a draft in its roughest form buried in my computer.
Abbey Lane Photography and Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations, you managed to create the perfect cover. One that I could have only dreamed of. I don’t know that any cover will ever top this one. Thank you.
To my talented editor, Madison Seidler, who sobbed in a snuggie at five in the morning while reading Me After You, I’m sorry. But not sorry. Thank you for cleaning up my messes. I’m so grateful for all your little comments along the way that not only make me laugh, but make perfect sense.
My friends and beta readers: Starla, Amy, Beth, Megan, Eren, Shawnna, Brandi, Whitni, JJ, Alix, and Sarah Beth: Me After You became its best possible form because of your feedback and honesty. Each and every one of you gave me valid input and suggestions that made the story better in one way or another. Thank you, ladies!
Brittany Delys, you’re the other half of my brain. When I can’t get through a plot hole, you’re always there to help me fill it. Thank you for knowing my stories as if they were your own.
To my sister from another mother, Kristen Grooms, you understood what this book was before I did. Thank you for never letting me give up and encouraging me to put this story out there no matter how many times I wanted to keep it to myself.
My Fierce 5: Starla Huchton, Sarah Ashley Jones, Michele G. Miller, Christy Foster (I’m number 5 in case the rest of you were wondering). Though we’ve only known each other for five months, I don’t know how I ever survived without you. You ladies get me on a level that no one else does. I’m so grateful for the round the clock support in all things writing and otherwise. You all are to thank for the most important brainstorming session to date… making Darth Vader noises at midnight to figure out the perfect spelling. ALL THE FEELS.
A big shout out to all you bloggers and friends I’ve made over that last year. I’m afraid if I list you all I’ll miss someone, but you know who you are. Your blog posts, messages, tweets, emails, and FB posts always make my day! Know that I recognize every one of you and your hand in sharing my books. I will always be grateful.
To my big, loving and crazy family, I’m so grateful for your continued support and words of encouragement. You’re my very own cheering section. Mom and Dad, thank you for raising me to believe in myself.
My Ryan, you were my number one fan on day one and continue to be every day. Thank you for cheering me on(or pestering me) to keep writing and finish these stories that I start. I love you. This story is for us. Because of you I have hope for someday…
Mindy Hayes grew up in San Diego, California exploring her interest for singing and playing the piano. She first discovered her passion for reading when she had to make her first flight alone to South Carolina to visit her, then, fiancé. Mindy’s love for writing followed shortly after. She has now been married for six years and lives in Summerville, South Carolina.
You can find her:
Blog: mindyhayes.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/hayes.mindy
Twitter: @haymindywrites
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
- Prologue
Two Months Later
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Dean
- Sawyer
- Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
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