Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
More than once, Harmony Banks has watched her perfectly ordered world torn apart by fate. Now she’s finding out that what she lost wasn’t as perfect as she thought—and it’s tearing her apart. The only thing that keeps her going is the kindness of a stranger: the firefighter who saved her life the night everything changed.
Preston isn’t like the men who have come before. For one thing, he’s far more genuine. And the love Harmony feels growing between them is almost too intense for her wounded soul. But if she and Preston can push past heartbreak, they’ll find that something incredible awaits in each other’s arms.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Prologue
Trey reached for my hand as we stood in my living room. My mother and father stared at both of us as I inhaled a deep breath. My brother, Jake, sat to the side of my parents as he gave me a reassuring smile. “Mom, Dad, we have something we need to tell you.”
Glancing at his watch, my father took in a sharp breath. “Well, Harmony, don’t just stand there; go on and tell us. We have a dinner at eight that I cannot be late for.”
My heart dropped as I felt Trey squeeze my hand. Two days ago, Trey and I had broken up. We were about to graduate from high school and were heading to two different colleges. It wasn’t like I didn’t love Trey. I did. I just wasn’t in love with Trey and I knew he felt the same way.
This morning everything had changed. Both of our worlds came to a complete stop.
Closing my eyes, I spoke the words in almost a whisper. “I’m pregnant.”
Trey dropped my hand and snaked his arm around my waist. I knew it was only a show of support for me. Trey hated my parents. Hated the way they treated me like I was an asset instead of a daughter. I was used to it since it was all I ever knew.
Standing, my father cracked his neck and nodded. “I’ll take care of everything first thing tomorrow morning.”
Pulling my head back in surprise, I asked, “Take care of what?”
My mother stood and faced my father. “We’ll need to do it swiftly and keep the utmost privacy. Maybe we need to look into Harrison County.”
Glancing at Trey, I saw that he raised his shoulders and shook his head. Turning back to my parents, I stepped forward. “What are you both talking about?”
Giving me a weak smile, my mother said, “An abortion. It will be done within a week.”
Bringing my hands up to my mouth, I stood there, stunned. Surely they were not serious. My parents were very religious and did not believe in abortion.
Trey laughed as he said, “You’re both crazy.”
Jake stood up and looked between my parents. “You can’t be serious.”
Shaking my head, I said, “No. I’m not having an abortion. What are you even talking about?”
Daddy turned to Jake and said, “Stay out of this. It does not concern you.” Looking at Trey and then me, his eyes turned to sadness. “You have two options, Harmony. Abortion and continue on to Harvard, or leave and be disowned by your parents. It’s your choice.”
Chapter 1
It’s Just a Dream
Harmony
TWO YEARS LATER
Looking out the window, I fought to keep my anger down. I didn’t want to be angry with Trey. I knew it wasn’t his fault he had to go to another business meeting tonight. He had started working for his father’s marketing firm as soon as we graduated from high school while he still tried to go to school full-time. While I was pregnant with TJ, I began taking classes at the University of Massachusetts to become a nurse. It was hard on both of us, but we managed, considering neither of us had college degrees yet and we had an almost eighteen-month-old baby.
Glancing into the backseat, I smiled when I saw TJ sleeping. Looking straight ahead, I closed my eyes and thought back to this morning.
“We’re going to find you, Daddy!” I’d said as I took TJ’s hand as we searched for Trey. Laughing, TJ yelled out, “Daddy! We coming!”
“Oh no!” Trey called out.
Dropping to the floor in front of TJ, I covered my mouth and then whispered, “TJ! I heard Daddy. Did you hear Daddy?”
Slowly nodding, his little blue eyes gazed back at mine as they danced with excitement. “Want to go sneak up on him and yell boo?”
Laughing, TJ wrapped his arms around my neck. “Yes, Mommy! Boo!”
Picking him up, I inhaled a deep breath as I took in his smell. Smiling, I held him tighter as we snuck into the living room and climbed up on the sofa. Putting my finger to my lips, I pointed behind the sofa. TJ jumped on the cushion and quickly looked behind the sofa and yelled out, “Boo, Daddy!”
Trey flew up with his hands on his heart as he fell back and said, “You scared me!”
Laughing, TJ reached his arms up for Trey. Reaching for him, Trey scooped up TJ and smiled at me. “It’s Mommy’s turn to hide.”
Pointing at me, TJ smiled and then buried his face in Trey’s chest while Trey counted.
Smiling at me, Trey seemed happy for the first time in weeks.
Turning now to Trey, I took in a deep breath and slowly blew it out. “I’m sorry, Trey. I’m sorry I got angry. I know you have to do whatever your dad tells you to do.”
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, Trey took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “You know I hate this just as much as you do. There is nothing I can do about it though. My dad was nice enough to open up a position for me and let me basically train on the job. I…no…we owe my parents a lot.”