Free to Love

By Alexandria Grant

When Gabe asks his sister Roni to help out a wounded friend that was sent state-side, there is no way she can say no. However, the man her brother told her about and this man are two seemingly different people.

Roni knows Ethan Shippe is hurting and is determined to help, whether he wants it or not. Unfortunately, she didn't realize how damaged he really was until it was too late for her heart...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexandria Grant
• Release date: May 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301031481

Alexandria Grant

Quite frequently I can be observed grinning like a madwoman as my fingers move furiously over the keys on my computer. This is what I want for my readers. I want you to be able to sit, grinning insanely, at some hilarious or outlandish scene in my books. I want your heart to race with excitement, shudder with fear, stop with pain, and come to life with joy and love along side my characters. I want to give them life, through each of you.I work for an environmental group and am a full time mother and wife. I can be found in front of a computer when I am not spending time with my three kids and husband. I have, from a very young age, read anything and everything I could get my hands on- including users manuals for random things, when all else failed. I have a knack for dazing out and daydreaming at a moment's notice, and have chosen to put some of these daydreams down on "paper" for others to enjoy.If you would like to let me know what you thought of my works, you can email me at:[e-mail] please, if you have read one of my works, feel free to take a moment and rate it.

Book preview

Free to Love

Alexandria Grant

Published by Alexandria Grant at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Alexandria Grant

Smashwords Edition, License Notes.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is intended for adults only and contains material not suited for persons under the age of 18, including mature language and graphic sexual scenes.

Chapter One

He’s hurting, Sis. I know it’s asking a lot of you, but I owe him so much. Plus, you’re the only person I know that is stubborn enough to put up with him. I listened to Gabriel’s words, the concern in his voice reaching across the distance and continents between us. My hand tightened involuntarily on the phone as my mind brought forward the latest picture of the man we were discussing. Don’t worry about it, Bubba. I’ll go and see him in the morning. It’s the least I can do; after all, he did keep your sorry butt safe for months over there. I knew Gabe worried about his friend that had been shipped stateside after being injured a few months ago, and with him still in the middle of a war zone he couldn’t afford to be torn in multiple directions. Seriously, don’t worry about it. You take care of yourself and make sure you come home to us soon. Debbie and Grant miss you. We all do. Gabe sighed at my words. I miss all of you, too. I should be rotated back in about three months or so. It helps knowing that Ethan will be taken care of. Thanks Sis. The distortion on the phone line increased. I’d better wrap this up. Tell Debbie and Grant that I love them; Mom and Dad, too. I’ll try to call them within the next couple of days. Bye, Roni. I said goodbye, holding back the tears that came every time another call came to an end, and pressed the end button on my cell phone.

I woke up early the next morning, before the Saturday sun began to share its light and warmth. I wanted to make sure that I had plenty of time to get ready before I headed over to Ethan’s house. I reread my brother’s last few letters, and checked on a bit of information on the internet, trying to make sure that I was prepared to meet Ethan for the first time. When I felt like I knew as much as I could in such a short time, I left the house for the thirty minute drive across town to the neighborhood that my brother’s friend lived in. I pulled up in front of a single story pale brick ranch house, the yard overgrown and the flower beds sadly forgotten. I mentally made a list of what work needed to be done and what tools I would need to repair the neglect as I rang the doorbell. A moment later the door was thrown open by a frazzled looking woman wearing an apron. Yes? What is it? I watched as she ran a shaky hand over her weary face before I spoke cautiously. I was wondering if Ethan Shippe lived here. I came by to- The rest of my sentence was cut off as the woman quickly grabbed my hands in her own. Oh, please tell me that you’re my replacement! He’s been threatening to call and have me fired, but I was afraid to even hope for it. You are my replacement, aren’t you? I shifted on my feet, slightly unnerved by the hopeful look on the woman’s face, as she finished speaking. A loud crash of something breaking came from within the house followed by an angry bellow. Beatrice?! Get in here! Where are you? Where’s my breakfast?

My eyes darted behind her into the house before meeting hers once more. Was that Ethan? At her confirming nod, I peered past her wondering what I had gotten myself into. What is it that you do for him? Beatrice grimaced as she responded. Cook and clean mostly. He has a nurse that come and checks in on his progress every few days, or so. Thank goodness for that. I wouldn’t want to have to get that close to the jerk. Another loud noise came from the dark recesses of the home, causing the poor woman to jerk, and I made up my mind on the spot. Beatrice is it? At her nod, I continued. You work for some form of agency, right? If you would like, I will take over for you and you can let them know there’s no need to send anyone else. I can provide the cooking and cleaning for Mr. Shippe from now on. Beatrice had her apron off and in my hands before I had completed my sentence. You come right on in. He’s in his room; first door to the right, down that hall there. I glanced briefly in the direction she pointed as she continued. I work every day but Sunday. I usually get here around 8am to get him breakfast; not that he eats it. I clean from 9am to 11:30am. Lunch is at noon, and I’m usually done with everything by 3pm or so and leave dinner for him on the table or in the fridge. She grabbed her purse, handed me the apron, and headed to the door. She paused for a moment with the door knob in her hand. Good luck, honey. You’re gonna need it. With that last foreboding comment, she was gone. If I wasn’t mistaken, I was sure I heard the wheels of her car squeal as she drove quickly away.

Chapter Two

Bracing myself, I strode toward the room where Ethan was. When I reached the bedroom, I knocked lightly. Just open the damn door and get in here! I turned the knob and took a step inside, but the crunch underfoot drew me to an immediate stop. Glancing down I realized I was standing in the midst of what looked like