Protecting Ainsley Read online

  “Hey, Ainsley,” Wolf called. “Remember, Mozart and I have a bet going, so we want to know how long it takes him, got it?”

  She smiled and nodded. Her heart beat so fast it nearly jumped right out of her chest.

  “He’s in room eight.” The woman pointed down the hall. “If you need anything, just go to the nurses’ station.”

  “Thank you.” Ainsley stood just shy of the curtain. She took in a deep breath and tugged at the fabric. “Hey, you,” she whispered.

  Keanu turned his head and smiled like a big kid. “Come here.” He patted the side of the bed and winced as he shifted.

  Tentatively, she sat on the edge of the gurney. He had wires hooked up to his chest that were attached to a machine that beeped. An IV hung over the bed, dripping fluids into his body. Bandages covered his bare chest. A trickle of blood stained through.

  A single tear rolled down her cheek.

  “Why are you crying?” he asked, taking her hand. He brought it to his lips and held it there for a long time.

  With her free hand, she swiped at her cheek. “You almost died because of me. So many people died because of me.”

  He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. “Sweetheart, none of this is because of you. If you want to blame someone, put it on Andrew and all the other terrorists. They are the ones who set this in motion. You were just an innocent bystander.”

  “But if I hadn’t—”

  He covered her mouth with his hand and groaned.

  “You have to stop trying to move.” She shifted closer, fluffing the pillow behind his head.

  “Then stop talking nonsense. Besides, I’d be a horrible boyfriend if I didn’t go after the woman I loved when someone kidnapped her right in front of me.”

  Her mouth fell open, and her heart fluttered to her stomach. “Love? They must have you on some really strong shit.”

  “I’m still feeling the effects of whatever they gave me, but that has nothing to do with my heart. I fell in love with you in Mexico.”

  “I lied to you about who I was.”

  He arched a brow. “I told you I was a computer salesman. But I can promise you no more lies.”

  “I don’t ever want to lie to you again.”

  “Do you love me?” he asked.

  More tears welled in her eyes. “As crazy as all this is, I love you with all my heart and soul.”

  He touched his lips. “I can’t bend up there to kiss you, so you’re going to have to bring it home.”

  Careful not to put any pressure on his wounds, she leaned over and kissed him tenderly. “How long have I been in here?”

  “About ten minutes, why?”

  “Mozart and Wolf made a bet on how long it would take for you to say you loved me. Mozart won.”

  Keanu laughed and then grabbed his side and coughed. “I love you, Ainsley. And I will always do what I have to in order to protect you.”

  Epilogue

  Six months later…

  “I can’t believe we came back here for our honeymoon.” Keanu stepped out onto the balcony and wrapped his arms around the most wonderful woman in the world. “While everything that happened in Mexico was mostly wonderful, it ended weird.”

  “Not to mention you kept calling out the wrong name in the throes of passion.” Ainsley rested her head on his shoulder. “But I thought it was fitting and brought us full circle. Thank you for letting me have this over Paris.” She turned and rested her hands on his shoulders.

  “I’ll take you to France for our one-year anniversary. How would that be?”

  “Amazing, but we might have a tiny little problem this time next year.” She turned and held up a thumb and forefinger.

  “Are you thinking about work? Because we can plan it around your dance schedule, and you know, I like my two weeks’ vacation, and I get them every year.”

  “It’s not about work.” She leaned in and kissed the side of his neck.

  It sent a warm shiver over his skin.

  “Then what?” The intoxicating smell of her strawberry hair filled his nose and tickled his heart. He never thought he could love anyone as much as he loved Ainsley. The last year of his life had been better than he could have ever dreamed. He couldn’t imagine what his life would be like without her in it. “And don’t say money, because we both know we can afford it.”

  She shook her head with the biggest, brightest smile he’d ever seen on her sweet, angelic face. “None of the above.”

  “Then I’m at a loss.”

  She cupped his cheeks and drew him in for a tender kiss. He tried to deepen it, but she pushed him away and took his hand, placing it on her midsection. “We can go, but we’ll be bringing with us some baggage.”

  He laughed. “You don’t know how to pack light, that’s for sure.”

  “Again, not what I’m referencing.” She pressed his hand harder against her middle.

  Looking down at his hand splayed over her belly, his lungs deflated. He struggled to catch a breath. “I think I need to sit down.”

  “Are you okay?”

  He stumbled back into the hotel room and nearly missed the edge of the bed. Staring at her, he opened his mouth, but no words formed. He tried again.

  Nothing.

  “Are you upset? I know we barely talked about it, and the timing might not be—”

  “A baby? We’re having a baby?” he asked with a voice that sounded like a boy going through puberty. He blinked a few times, focusing on Ainsley. They had discussed that they both wanted to have children. One, maybe two, and maybe after being married for a couple of years, but that was more her than him. He knew he wanted one right away, and now she was standing there telling him that he was about to be a father.

  “We are,” she said, still smiling.

  Jumping from the bed, he lifted her into his arms and twirled her around. “I didn’t think I could be any happier than I was two days ago when you did me the honor of letting me be your one and only.” He set her down on her feet and stared into her loving eyes. “I will spend the rest of my life protecting you and our family.”

  “And the rest of the world, because that’s who you are.”

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read PROTECTING AINSLEY, the first book in my new series search and rescue. Pick up the next book in the series, Protecting Clover NOW!

  Please feel free to leave an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or Bookbub.

  Also, in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces Operation Alpha is my Air Force Fireman Protection series. I hope you will give them a try!

  About the Author

  Welcome to my World! I'm a USA Today Bestseller of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance.

  I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.

  I'm currently enjoying the next phase of my life...the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.

  Sign up for my Newsletter (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6atcf7g1be) where I often give away free books before publication.

  Join my private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/) where I post exclusive excerpts and discuss all things murder and love!

  Never miss a new release. Follow me on Amazon:amazon.com/author/jentalty

  And on Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/jen-talty

  Also by Jen Talty

  Brand New Series!

  Brand New Series!

  It’s all in the Whiskey

 
JOHNNIE WALKER

  GEORGIA MOON

  NY State Trooper Series

  IN TWO WEEKS

  DARK WATER

  DEADLY SECRETS

  MURDER IN PARADISE BAY

  TO PROTECT HIS OWN

  DEADLY SEDUCTION

  WHEN A STRANGER CALLS

  NY State Trooper Novella

  HIS DEADLY PAST

  Brand New Novella for the First Responders series

  A spin off from the NY State Troopers series

  PLAYING WITH FIRE

  PRIVATE CONVERSATION

  The Men of Thief Lake

  REKINDLED

  DESTINY’S DREAM

  Other novels

  JANE DOE’S RETURN

  THE BUTTERFLY MURDERS

  The Aegis Network

  THE LIGHTHOUSE

  HER LAST HOPE

  THE LAST FLIGHT

  THE RETURN HOME

  Coming soon!

  THE MATRIARCH

  The Collective Order

  THE LOST SISTER

  THE LOST SOLDIER

  THE LOST SOUL

  Coming soon!

  THE LOST CONNECTION

  Special Forces Operation Alpha

  BURNING DESIRE

  BURNING KISS

  BURNING SKIES

  BURNING LIES

  BURNING HEART

  BURNING BED

  REMEMBER ME ALWAYS

  Search and Rescue Series

  PROTECTING AINSLEY

  PROTECTING CLOVER

  The Brotherhood Protectors

  ROUGH JUSTICE

  ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES

  ROUGH RIDE

  ROUGH EDGE

  The Twilight Crossing Series

  THE BLIND DATE

  SPRING FLING

  SUMMER’S GONE

  WINTER WEDDING

  Witches and Werewolves

  LADY SASS

  ALL THAT SASS

  Coming soon!

  NEON SASS

  PAINTING SASS

  Boxsets

  LOVE CHRISTMAS, MOVIES

  UNFORGETABLE PASSION

  UNFORGETABLE CHARMERS

  A NIGHT SHE’LL REMEMBER

  SWEET AND SASSY IN THE SNOW

  SWEET AND SASSY PRINCE CHARMING

  FINDERS KEEPERS: THE PURSE

  PROTECT AND DESIRE

  SWEET AND SASSY BABY LOVE

  CHRISTMAS AT MISTLETOE LODGE

  THE PLAYERS: OVERCOMING THE ODDS

  Novellas

  NIGHTSHADE

  A CHRISTMAS GETAWAY

  TAKING A RISK

  WHISPERS

  There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com

  You can also visit our Amazon page at:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha

  Special Forces: Operation Alpha World

  Christie Adams: Charity’s Heart

  Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold

  Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey

  Brynne Asher: Blackburn

  Linzi Baxter: Unlocking Dreams

  Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine

  Alice Bello: Shadowing Milly

  Heather Blair: Rescue Me

  Anna Blakely: Rescuing Gracelynn

  Amy Briggs: Saving Sarah

  Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei

  Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage

  Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth

  Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven

  Sue Coletta: Hacked

  Melissa Combs: Gallant

  Anne Conley: Redemption for Misty

  KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina

  Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah

  Sarah Curtis: Securing the Odds

  Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery

  Tarina Deaton: Found in the Lost

  KL Donn: Unraveling Love

  Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia

  PJ Fiala: Defending Sophie

  Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria

  Michele Gwynn: Rescuing Emma

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska

  EM Hayes: Gambling for Ashleigh

  Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah

  Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor

  Silver James: Rescue Moon

  Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia

  Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava

  Heather Long: Securing Arizona

  Gennita Low: No Protection

  Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse

  Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck

  Kimberly McGath: The Predecessor

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby

  KD Michaels: Saving Laura

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound

  Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi

  Mary B Moore: Force Protection

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly

  Angela Nicole: Protecting the Donna

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty

  Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty

  Victoria Paige: Reclaiming Izabel

  Anne L. Parks: Mason

  Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa

  Lainey Reese: Protecting New York

  TL Reeve and Michele Ryan: Extracting Mateo

  Elena M. Reyes: Keeping Ava

  Angela Rush: Charlotte

  Rose Smith: Saving Satin

  Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily

  Lynn St. James: SEAL’s Spitfire

  Dee Stewart: Conner

  Harley Stone: Rescuing Mercy

  Jen Talty: Burning Desire

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Us

  Police and Fire: Operation Alpha World

  Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn

  KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen

  Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma

  Deanndra Hall: Shelter for Sharla

  Barb Han: Kace

  CM Steele: Guarding Hope

  Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane

  Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright

  As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.

  SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series

  Securing Caite

  Securing Brenae (novella)

  Securing Sidney

  Securing Piper

  Securing Zoey (Jan 2020)

  Securing Avery (May 2020)

  Securing Kalee (Sept 2020)

  Delta Team Two Series

  Shielding Gillian (Apr 2020)

  Shielding Kinley (Aug 2020)

  Shielding Aspen (Oct 2020)

  Shielding Riley (TBA)

  Shielding Devyn (TBA)

  Shielding Ember (TBA)

  Shielding Sierra (TBA)

  Delta Force Heroes Series

  Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)

  Rescuing Aimee (novella)

  Rescuing Emily

  Rescuing Harley

  Marrying Emily (novella)

  Rescuing Kassie

  Rescuing Bryn

  Rescuing Casey

  Rescuing Sadie (novella)

  Rescuing Wendy

  Rescuing Mary

  Rescuing Macie (Novella)

  Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series

  Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)

  Justice for Mickie

  Justice for Corrie

  Justice for Laine (novella)

  Shelter for Elizabeth

  Justice for Boone

  Shelter for Adeline

  Shelter for Sophie

  Justice for Erin

  Justice for Milena

  Shelter for Blythe

  Justice for Hope

  Shelter for Quinn

  Shelter for Koren

  Shelter for Penelope

  SEAL of Protection Series

  Protecting Caroline (FREE!)

  Protecting
Alabama

  Protecting Fiona

  Marrying Caroline (novella)

  Protecting Summer

  Protecting Cheyenne

  Protecting Jessyka

  Protecting Julie (novella)

  Protecting Melody

  Protecting the Future

  Protecting Kiera (novella)

  Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)

  Protecting Dakota

  New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

  www.stokeraces.com

  www.AcesPress.com

  [email protected]