Page 49 of Beyond Reach

Chanda cried a bit more and then went downstairs.

Garner watched her descend with suspicion in his eyes. He never missed a thing. “You’ve been crying. Why?”

“Come on in the kitchen while I make him a bottle.” She kept moving, working on her emotions as she walked.

Before she could get far, Garner grabbed her arm and gently turned her to face him. Her heart broke as she looked at the beautiful man with his perfect little son. Drifting into Garner’s arms, she laid her head on his shoulder and rested a hand on Oran’s silky hair. A small chuckle rose inside as she recalled how surprised Garner had been that his son was born with so much hair.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Garner prompted.

She told him every detail of the conversation with Marcella. He didn’t say a word. When the baby whined, they went to the kitchen together. Garner placed his son in her arms and went about warming a bottle himself. After he was done, they moved to the living room and fed Oran there. All the while, Garner didn’t speak.

They sat side-by-side, hips and thighs touching. She leaned into Garner, and he wrapped his arm about her. As she balanced the baby in her arms, Garner looked on. A glance up at him brought fresh tears to her eyes because of the sadness deep in their depths.

“I don’t know how she could leave him,” Garner whispered.

He looked around the living room, not seeming to notice the massive eight-foot tree they had decorated a couple weeks ago for Christmas or the stockings hanging at the chimney, including one for Oran.

Beneath the tree sat gift-wrapped boxes for the baby. They had planned to take a few days for their trip alone together and then come home to open the many presents they purchased for Oran with him and Garner’s family. Looking at it all started to lift Chanda’s spirits.

She laid a hand on Garner’s, and her wedding band and engagement ring sparkled in the light. It hadn’t been too long since she said her vows and became Chanda Driscoll. This situation wasn’t all bad. She saw the light in the trial.

“Marcella is wrong for doing this, Garner, but you know what? We’re a family. We’re solid, and we love this little boy with all our hearts. We’re going to give him the best life, and if she doesn’t want to be a part of it, that’s her problem.”

His jaw tightened, and a light of anger and determination entered his gaze. “You’re right. You have been more of a mother to Oran than Marcella.”

He gestured to the room with its explosion of Christmas décor from the white lights in the windows, to the garland on mantle, and the red truck with mini tree in the back and the wooden white reindeer in the corner.

“You’ve made this a home, baby, and I don’t regret for one second making you my wife. You’ve made me the happiest of men, and so far you’ve been a fantastic mom.”

She sniffed and smiled. “Thanks.”

“We’ll get through this, but Marcella”—his eyes shot fire—“will answer for it.”

“You mean custody?”

He nodded and looked down at her. “Baby, do you mind skipping our trip for now? Will it bother you too much to stay in town?”

“Not at all. I wondered how I would get along without our little man.”

Garner raised the baby to his shoulder and patted his back. Then he took Chanda’s hand and kissed it. He stroked her cheek and leaned in to nuzzle his face to hers. The contented sigh that shook him was echoed in her own heart.

She’d never felt so loved and so sure of being on the right road in life. Just recently, she had signed up to go back to college. It might be a challenge with the baby full time, but she had family now—Garner’s family. They were like her own. She couldn’t ask for more.

Once upon a time, Garner and happiness looked like he and it were out of reach. Now they lay in the palm of her hand, and she would never let go again.

The End

About the Author

Tressie Lockwood has always loved books, and she enjoys writing about heroines (and this time a hero) who are overcoming the trials of life. She writes straight from her heart, reaching out to those who find it hard to be completely themselves no matter what anyone else thinks. She hopes her readers enjoy her stories.

A Note From Tressie,

I would like to thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to review it and to let a friend know about me. A good review can help an author reach more people, and others will take a chance like you did. Thank you for your help, and happy reading.

- Tress

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