Shocking Sapphires E-Book

Ann Omasta

• Herausgeber: More Happily Ever Afters
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

A lonely woman, an abandoned baby, and a famous movie star collide…

Molly Malone is convinced she is the last single person in Brunswick Bay Harbor. Even her brother, the consummate bachelor, has found someone special.

When a baby is left at the Safe Haven drop-off at the local fire station, Molly gladly accepts the opportunity to care for the precious infant.

Grant Chandler is one of the most famous celebrities in the world. The last thing he expects to encounter as he’s speeding through a seaside Maine town is a woman carrying a baby in the middle of the slick road.

What happens next will change all of their lives forever, and the town of Brunswick Bay Harbor will never be the same.

Will these characters be able to embrace love and help each other heal, or will their startling new reality destroy them? Find out now in Shocking Sapphires.

Brunswick Bay Harbor Gems:
1) Shattered Diamonds
2) Shining Pearls
3) Shimmering Emeralds
4) Shadowed Rubies
5) Shocking Sapphires
6) Shaded Amethysts

Leseprobe

Shocking Sapphires

Brunswick Bay Harbor Gems

Ann Omasta

Contents

Free Book!

1. Molly

2. Molly

3. Molly

4. Molly

5. Molly

6. Grant

7. Grant

8. Grant

9. Molly

10. Molly

11. Grant

12. Molly

13. Grant

14. Molly

15. Molly

16. Grant

17. Molly

18. Molly

19. Grant

20. Molly

21. Molly

22. Grant

23. Molly

24. Grant

25. Molly

26. Molly

27. Grant

28. Molly

29. Molly

30. Grant

31. Molly

32. Grant

33. Molly

34. Molly

35. Grant

36. Molly

37. Grant

38. Grant

Epilogue - Molly

Shaded Amethysts Sneak Peek - Avery

About the Author, Ann Omasta

Let’s stay in touch!

Copyright

Acknowledgments

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Get Aloha, Baby!

1

Molly

I almost couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched my older brother walking toward us after summiting the hill. He was carrying a swaddled baby. Dani stiffened by my side as she processed what we were seeing. If this was Max’s idea of a joke, it wasn’t funny.

Dani and I kept our elbows locked together in a sign of solidarity as we bridged the gap between us and Max. It quickly became obvious that what he was holding in his arms was indeed a real baby, not a doll. Questions flooded my brain, but Dani was the first to regain her senses enough to utter a word.

Her voice sounded croaky and stunned when she asked him with wide eyes, “Is it yours?”

Max gave her a surprised look, then his gaze softened as he realized what she must be thinking. “No, of course not.”

His calm reassurance did nothing to answer the multitude of questions that were swirling around my brain, but I felt the pent-up tension immediately release from Dani’s shoulders. A baby from some random hookup would not have made for the ideal start to their blossoming relationship.

While the two of them gazed lovingly at each other like they were the only two people in the world, I grew frustrated by the lack of information. Max couldn’t just show up holding a baby and not spill some details. After huffing out a breath of impatience, I asked, “Well, whose is it?”

Reluctantly pulling his eyes from Dani, Max turned to me and said, “I don’t have any idea. Someone dumped him at the fire station’s safe haven drop-off box.”

My mouth fell open at this news as I rushed forward to gaze at the tiny, helpless bundle being cradled in my brother’s arms.

“Come here, you sweet little guy,” I cooed as I eased the soft blanket out of my brother’s grasp.

I’d never been much of a baby person, but some ingrained instinct seemed to take over as I lightly bounced and swayed with the tiny cherub. He had the most perfect little button nose, and his soft, pudgy cheeks were bright red.

“He’s cold,” I snapped at Max as I pulled the blanket tighter around the infant’s face.

Softening my tone to a baby voice that I hadn’t been aware I had, I said, “You’re a cold little man, aren’t you? Yes, you are.”

I could feel Dani and Max’s surprised gazes on me. Glaring up at them, I asked, “What? Max didn’t have him bundled up tight enough. It’s freezing out here.”

Dani asked, “Don’t we need to take him to child protective services, so they can find him a home that’s prepared to deal with him?”

Stunned by her heartless reaction, I gaped at the woman I’d thought I was getting to know. “You want to dump this innocent child into the system? He’s already been abandoned by his parents, and now you want to let some agency deal with him? What kind of monster are you?”

I could immediately tell that I’d gone too far when Max took a step forward and said, “Hey, now.”

Dani’s eyes registered hurt feelings before she justified her previous statement. “There are policies and procedures in place to ensure what’s in the best interest of the child. We can’t just take him home with us.”

I could have kissed my brother’s cheek when he said, “Actually, I already reached out to the proper authorities. They are still swamped from dealing with the recent ice storm. The shelter is located on the outskirts of town, so their electricity hasn’t yet been restored. They aren’t equipped to handle an extra infant right now, so they asked me to either find someone to watch him or to drive him to the social services office in Bangor.”

Dani looked uncertain when she asked, “Are the highways clear enough to be safe to drive between here and Bangor?”

The road crews had done a decent job on our local streets, but rumor had it that areas surrounding us had been hit much harder than we were with ice, and they were still dealing with the fallout.

Max shook his head, “I doubt it.”

I couldn’t believe the two of them were standing there discussing this. “What is wrong with you two? We are not taking this little angel to Bangor. Who knows what kind of dreadful living situations might exist in a shelter orphanage.”

I practically shivered at that last word. It was surprising how protective I already felt of the little guy, but the thought of sending him off to some dark, dank ward where he wouldn’t be loved and properly cared for was chill-inducing.

“You’re making it sound worse than it will be. They’ll probably place him in a foster home.” Max said in an obvious attempt to appease my worries.

“With how many other kids? And for how long?” I shot back.

Max shrugged. “I don’t know, Molly. But we have to follow protocol. It’s what’s best for the baby.”

“Is it?” I asked, furrowing my brows into a deep vee, making it obvious that I didn’t think it was.

“Maybe we could watch him, just until social services here in town is ready to take him,” Dani suggested.

I knew she was trying to make me feel better, but it wasn’t working. “What do you two know about watching a baby? Besides, every sick person in town comes to see you at your medical office. Who knows what kind of nasty germs you’d bring back to him?”

“What is it that you’re wanting to have happen here, Molly?” My brother asked, sounding perturbed.

What did I want? I didn’t really know. I pondered the question for a long moment. When the answer came to me, I couldn’t quite believe it myself.

“I want to take him home with me,” I answered, lifting my chin.

“Absolutely not,” was Max’s immediate, bull-headed response.

His strong, negative reaction only served to make me more determined. Something deep inside my chest was telling me this was the right thing to do. I was a big believer in trusting that intuitive nudge when it happened.

“Why not?” I demanded.

“First off, you’re all alone in that tiny apartment. What if something goes wrong? Or he gets sick? What are you going to do?”

“I’ll figure it out,” I answered, feeling petulant about his lack of confidence in me. He stared at me, seeming to expect more of an answer than that, so I finally said, “If all else fails, I’ll call you guys. Dani is a doctor, so she’ll know what to do.”

I darted my gaze to Dani, hoping to sway her over to my side. My pig-headed brother would listen to her.

When the bundle in my arms made a mewling sound, I tipped him up on my shoulder and began patting his back.

After watching me closely, Dani finally weighed in, “She does seem to be a natural with him.”

Max’s eyes softened when he said, “You’ll end up getting too attached. He’s not yours, Molly.”

“I know that.”

I could tell by his unsure expression that Max was thinking about the lost gray kitten I’d found when we were kids. I had cried for days and moped for weeks when the cat’s family came to claim their pet.

Wanting to reassure my brother, I said, “I know it’s temporary. I’ll just keep him safe and give him the attention he needs until the right entity comes along to provide him a permanent home.”

From my years of practice at badgering him until he caved, I could tell that Max was starting to waver in his conviction. Going in for the kill, I added, “My life is completely empty right now. I’m between dead-end jobs and my dating life is non-existent. This little guy needs someone to shower some love on him. He needs me. Let me help him, until something better comes along for him. I promise I won’t stand in the way when we figure out a better situation for him.”

After I finished speaking, I leaned down to smell the baby’s head and gave him a kiss on top of his light blue, knitted hat.

“You don’t even have any of the stuff required to take care of a baby,” Max tried, but I could tell I’d almost won him over.

Pointing to his shoulder, I said, “I bet that bag has some supplies to get me started, and I’ll go to the store right now to get the rest.”

Not giving my brother the opportunity to devise any further excuses, I leaned in to take the blue diaper bag from him. He helped me heft it onto my shoulder.

“It will be fine,” I promised him as I turned to leave before he could change his mind and stop me.

Walking quickly, I smiled down at the sidewalk when I heard him say to Dani, “Famous last words.”

With my heart already overflowing with love for this sweet little bundle, I snuggled him closer to me to help ward off the brisk wind. After looking both ways, I started across the road. One quick glance up the street told me that Max and Dani were already headed back to his truck. I’d won this round.

I was mentally scanning through my favorite boy baby names, when I heard the rumbling noise. It was much too loud and much too close.

In an instant, the speeding car crested over the top of the hill and barreled down toward us. I stood frozen in the middle of the road. It was too far to leap to safety in either direction.

I spared a quick glance at my brother and saw his horrified, helpless gaze as the car sped directly toward us.

The piercing squeal of the tires on the slick pavement broke the silence of the evening as the driver slammed on the brakes. The world seemed to move in slow motion as the car skidded sideways on the ice directly toward us.

I only had time to whirl around and present my back to the oncoming vehicle as I curled my body around the precious bundle, in the frantic hope of protecting the innocent baby from the impending impact.

2

Molly

Dizzy, dazed, and confused, I blinked my eyes open. The blood pounded in my head and my hands shook as I frantically tried to scramble up to my knees.

Miraculously, I didn’t feel hurt, but my only concern was for the precious baby I cradled in my arms. Had I crushed him when I fell?

In an instant, Max was by my side. His eyes were wide with fright as he yelled, “Molly! Are you okay?”

I nodded, but couldn’t seem to find my words. Tipping my head down to check on the bundle in my arms, I was thrilled to see stunned blue eyes blinking up at me. It only took a moment for the loud wail to erupt from his tiny mouth.

“He’s crying. That’s a very good sign,” Dani assured us as she approached and kneeled down by my side. She kept one comforting hand on my shoulder as she used the other to dial 9-1-1 on her phone.

I squeezed my eyes shut with relief that the baby didn’t appear to be injured. When I reopened them, I noticed the back end of the sports car sticking out from Dr. Dalton’s chiropractic office. The entire front half of the car was crumpled and sitting in the ruins of what was, just moments ago, Dr. Dalton’s reception area.

Thankfully, the office had been closed when the car rammed its way through the enormous front window, or numerous patients would have likely been injured.

Staring at the steaming pile of rubble, I said to Max, “We’re okay. Go check on the driver.”

He looked reluctant to leave my side, so I gave him my best stubborn little sister stare until he turned to comply with my request.

I rocked the bundle in my arms back and forth, in a feeble attempt to soothe him, repeating the mantra, “Shh… It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

Although I wasn’t sure if I was attempting to calm him or me, it seemed to be working on both of us. His wailing had decreased from infuriated, ear-piercing screeches to mildly annoyed, hiccupping sobs.

Within moments, we heard the wail of approaching sirens. I stared blankly at my brother’s back as he set to work on the crashed vehicle. He yelled status updates back to Dani, which she relayed to the dispatch on the phone, but I wasn’t lucid enough to fully register what either of them were saying.

Before long, the blinding flashing lights of sirens surrounded us. When a uniformed man tried to remove the bundle from my arms, I clamped the baby tighter in my grasp.

“Ma’am, we need to check you and your baby for injuries,” the deep voice informed me in a no-nonsense tone.

I started to tell him the sweet infant wasn’t my baby, but my mouth wouldn’t cooperate. Dani stepped in to efficiently take charge.

She looked me directly in the eyes as she gently took the baby and said, “They need to have a look at him, Molly. They’ll take care of him.”

Her promise came out as a gentle coo. Even though she couldn’t possibly know if her statement was true, her calm and confident demeanor had me trusting her words. I reluctantly loosened my tight grip on the baby.

When his wails escalated, I felt like screaming, “See? He wants me!” But some still-rational part of my brain helped me manage to refrain.

The man kneeling down to assess me was blocking my view of the baby. I tried to lean around to see past him, but he used both hands to steady my shoulders. “Ma’am, we need you to stay still.”

Ignoring him, my eyes frantically searched for the baby. His voice sounded much more understanding when he said, “They’ll take good care of your baby. You have my word on it.”

He sounded so sincere, I found myself looking into his eyes. They were warm and reassuring. At any other time, I might have noticed how handsome the steady, efficient man was, but right now I was too worried to focus on such frivolous notions.

The man continued speaking in a soothing voice as he eased me onto a backboard that was on the ground beside me. “We need to check you out to make sure you aren’t hurt, but we’ll reunite you with your son soon.”

Son. The word swirled around in my head. I’d never really thought about having children, since I didn’t have a steady man in my life. It seemed irresponsible and backwards to start having kids without a father for them. But now that the idea was planted in my head, it was all I could think about.

In the brief moments since I had met the abandoned baby, I’d already fallen head over heels for him. I would do anything in my power to protect him. If that wasn’t a mother’s love, I didn’t know what was.

While I was coming to terms with my new reality––where my heart was consumed by love for a child that I couldn’t protect in this moment, the emergency technicians deftly strapped me onto the gurney and began moving me toward one of the waiting ambulances.

My neck had been placed in a brace, making it impossible to turn my head, so my eyes rolled around in their sockets, searching for my baby.

“Try to stay still,” the handsome E.M.T. advised me.

Seeming to sense what had me so frantic, Dani ran to catch up with us and said, “The baby is safe. He’s riding in another ambulance.”

Grabbing my hand as she jogged beside us, she added, “I’ll go with him, if it will make you feel better.”

“Yes,” I answered, trying to infuse the single word with the overwhelming gratitude I felt for the woman that was no doubt destined to be my future sister-in-law.

She nodded and started to turn away. When she faltered, I tried to see what was wrong. She was staring at the crashed vehicle as the high-pitched screech of a saw pierced the air.

When the noise from the saw silenced, I heard Dani ask in a bewildered voice, “Is that Grant Chandler?”

Instantly, I wondered if I was in the midst of some strange, hair-raising dream. There was no way the biggest movie star in the entire world had just been racing down the main street of our little town before nearly mowing us over and crashing into the local chiropractic office.

Just as I was convincing myself that I must have misheard, I heard my brother’s deep voice rumble in answer to Dani’s question, “The one and only.”

3

Molly

My belly roiled as the ambulance raced to the hospital. So many thoughts churned in my jumbled mind… Was the baby hurt? Had Grant Chandler actually been the driver of that car? Was he injured? Were we currently driving too fast on the still-slick roads? Was the baby’s ambulance travelling this fast?

That last thought made my stomach lurch. The kind-eyed E.M.T. asked if I was going to vomit, but I stared at the ambulance’s ceiling and managed to swallow the bile back down. The last thing we needed was to crash on the way to the hospital. I could only hope that the driver of the baby’s ambulance was taking more care.

Somehow, we made it safely to the emergency room. As I was being lowered from the ambulance, my only concern was for the baby that had so quickly squirmed his way into my heart.

“The baby?” I asked frantically as I tried, but failed, to look around for him.

“He’s in good hands, ma’am,” my trusty E.M.T. assured me before he began efficiently relaying my status to the medical professionals in blue scrubs that surrounded my stretcher.

I felt like shouting at them that they didn’t need to worry about me, but that there was a baby who needed their attention. Instead, I squeezed my eyes shut, silently praying that they knew what they were doing and had the situation under control.

Once I was rolled into a curtained bay area, the short doctor gave me a reassuring smile before saying, “Sounds like you’ve had a rough time, but don’t worry, we’ll get you taken care of.”

“Is the baby okay?” I asked her frantically, even though I knew she couldn’t possibly know the answer.

Her kind brown gaze darted to a young nurse, who had been assisting with my assessment. Evidently understanding the silent request, the woman quickly offered, “I’ll go find out.”

Her rubber-soled shoes quickly squeaked out of the area. I stared at the square, white ceiling tiles, trying to hold back my fearful tears, as the doctor checked me out. I did my best to accurately answer her questions, but I wanted nothing more than to run out of here, find that sweet child, and make sure he was getting the care he needed.

It seemed like an interminable wait, but was probably only a few minutes before the nurse came back to our area. The doctor had just finished my initial assessment and announced that I seemed to be fine, other than some minor cuts and bruises, but that she wanted to monitor me for 24-hours to make sure no internal issues arose.

My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of their sockets as I stared at the nurse, willing her to say that the baby wasn’t injured. Seeming to sense my desperation, she quickly assured me, “He’s okay.”

The air whooshed out of my lungs as the overwhelming relief surged through my veins. The nurse gave me a warm smile as she came to stand beside my bed. The doctor seemed curious, too, as she wrapped her stethoscope around her neck and awaited a more thorough update from the nurse.

“They are still checking him out upstairs, but the initial review looks very promising. Rumor has it that you shielded him from the oncoming vehicle with your own body.”

My cheeks heated at the warm gaze she gave me. I turned my lips up into a half-smile, but tried to downplay my role by saying, “Anyone would have done the same thing.”

My doctor shook her head as she said, “To have that quick of a reaction to protect a child is instinctual for some, but not everyone has it.” She beamed down at me as she continued, “That is a sign of mother’s love at its finest.”

The urge arose to correct her, but I did feel a mothering type of love for the infant, so I remained silent.

“Would you like to go up and see him?” the nurse asked me. Seeming to catch herself, she quickly darted her gaze at the doctor before saying, “If it’s okay with Dr. Bailey.”