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By Aubrey Kendall and S.M. Knowles

Moving into a new town as a child, Rowan befriended two boys named Greg and Mac, eventually earning the kids a nickname of the Three Musketeers. Even as they grew into adulthood, the three would continue their everlasting friendship.

Now, as adults, Greg and Rowan are married, and he has joined the military. Unexpected twists and turns take the two on a dramatic rollercoaster as Mac is on the outside looking in.

With Mac’s hands tied behind his back, all he can do is watch and be there for his friends. As the tribulations unfold, Mac is drawn in closer and needs to find a way around his own emotions.

Will their lives be the same? Will Rowan make it through the trials of heartache and pain her new life has taken?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aubrey Kendall
• Release date: Jan 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781540839039

Book preview

Fifteen Years Earlier

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"Awe, come on you two. Mac proudly stood tall as he lectured us for the tenth time on why boys and girls should stay single. Are you really willing to break up the three musketeers here?"

Mac was a light blonde haired kid with a few freckles running across his nose. He had always been the short kid with a small head and huge, ice blue eyes. The kind of eyes that, if you fell in, you might freeze to death staring at. All of the mothers were always mentioning how pretty his eyes were. Mac didn’t care so much for them. He found them to be a nuisance, as most boys would around the age of nine. He was interested in dirt and bikes. Those two words could be separate or apart, it didn’t matter to him, but his features weren’t on his list of priorities, and neither were girls.

I always knew if I had a secret to tell, I could tell Mac. I typically didn’t tell one without telling the other, but if I only wanted to confide in one person, that would be Mac.

The three of us began to saunter forward, maneuvering our way out of a greenbelt that sat beside our school. I have always referred to us as Snap, Crackle, and Pop. You know, like the Rice Krispies cereal guys. We can even have our own foreign language at times. I giggled with enthusiasm as I knew Mac didn’t like my analogy. His take on Snap, Crackle, and Pop would be too kiddish. He was in a hurry to grow up, but his maturity was still stuck at his current age.

Gaaaw, Ro. Mac kicked a rock as he walked to the right of me. That’s so dumb. Let’s think of something bigger than superheroes! His face became big with anticipation. He was about to enter his world of imagination, which was typically fun.

Mac, calm down. Greg intervened. He bumped into me slightly as we continued walking down our neighborhood road. We were just saying that it’s OK to have a girlfriend now. Lots of kids are talking about having a boyfriend or a girlfriend.

Greg was a very outgoing kid who loved sports. His hair was much darker than my own, and his eyes were a deep brown. He typically wore whatever was in at school, but he didn’t let that define who he was. On the outside, he was an insensitive type of jerk, but when he was around his friends, namely Mac and I, he was a giant teddy bear that would guard us with his life. He made me feel protected, almost like my own father would protect me.

Mac’s face turned into a tomato color causing me to squint as I swore I saw steam fusing from the top of his head. He stopped walking and tensed up his entire body. Are you kidding me? Little veins popped from his neck as his hands hung to his sides but pushed back like he was trying to catch two balls from behind himself. We should be riding bikes and exploring.

I snickered at Mac’s remark. There was truth to what he was saying. After all, I didn’t think my mother would officially allow me to date until I was sixteen. If I’d had a boyfriend right now, there wasn’t much I would do besides play outside, and I did that all the time anyway.

The color on Mac’s face eased its intensity as he finally calmed down. We three have been best friends for three years. Since Ro moved to the neighborhood. He stopped a moment and watched me, causing Greg and I to stop walking. You were lucky we even let you be in our group. His little pointer finger dangled in front of my eyes. Pushing his hand away with the back of mine, I smiled.

You’re right. You did, and I don’t know why you are going crazy on us. It wasn’t my idea, it was Greg’s. I continued our march forward towards home, leaving him behind. Greg followed in step with me while shaking his head in a confused manner.

Letting out a deep breath, Mac lightened up and allowed his arms to dangle at his sides. His face relaxed, and he continued moving again. I’m just saying. We have plenty of time for that stuff when we are older.

Greg didn’t rebut and continued down the path alongside me, occasionally kicking my shoe every now and again. This was an odd thing, even for him, as he didn’t typically mess with me as we walked home. Not like this. The petty little nudges and touches became sort of bothersome, but I ignored it.

I forced my head to turn towards Mac. How old is the right age?

He contemplated this idea for a moment without saying anything. His left arm came up as he reached for the back of his head and scratched. Another couple of seconds went by and he still hadn’t made up his mind. Finally, his eyes grew wider, and he turned to look at me. Twenty-one!

I nodded. I think I could agree, but what about the dances? You need a girlfriend to accompany you to the prom, or any other dance for that matter.

Another huff of air escaped his chest. Gah! Fine. Bringing his pointer finger from his right hand to his chin, he firmly pressed it against his face. A few more steps forward and he brought his hand down and returned his gaze to me. Maybe fifteen, but! he exclaimed rather loudly. She would not be allowed to come between us three... He stopped talking, and his head moved out to look around me, And no boys can come between us, either. He quit walking and stuck out his arm in front of Greg and I, keeping us from moving forward. Sticking out his other hand, he waited on us to cover his with ours.

Greg reluctantly moved in first and placed his left palm on the back of Mac’s hand. Fine.

I willingly threw my hand on top. Not because I thought this was a great idea. Heck, who knew what would happen in our futures. But, with friends like these two, I felt like my life was going to head in the right direction. I didn’t have any brothers, and these two could make for some great siblings.

Mac spoke up, On the count of three, we will say ‘friends for life.’ One. Two. Three! All three of us threw our hand up in the air and shouted, Friends for life.

But, when I start dating Rowan, don’t be jealous! Greg took off down the road that split the sidewalk into two, which led to his house.

Yeah, right! Mac called. We both began shuffling forward again. His voice became low, You wouldn’t date him, would you? Mac’s right eyebrow arched up. No. You’re too good for him. You would never date him. A bit of laughter escaped his mouth, and he began to run in the direction of his own house. Bye, Ro!

Greg’s response and actions left me speechless and a little stunned, but I shook it off anyhow. We were too young to even think about someone in that way. Snap, Crackle, and Pop for life. I smiled at that thought.

***

Fifteen Years Later

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"Sammy! Can you believe it? He will be here in a few short weeks." I turn and hug the t-shirt I’ve been clinging to since he’s been on tour with the Army.

Sammy attempts to walk up the steps to the front door with her belly swollen twice the size of a basketball. Her golden blonde locks are pulled back into a loose bun, leaving stresses of hair surrounding her face. A damp, shiny face dawns a frown from a daunting day of running around while being nine months pregnant. As she steps over the threshold, she grabs her belly and widens her chestnut brown eyes.

Her southern accent becomes more apparent as discomfort travels throughout her body. If these aren’t contractions, I don’t know what are. She stops just one step into the door and feels her stomach with the palms of her hands. Leaning back, she allows the wooden frame of the doorway to help carry some of her weight. Whew. I think I’m ready for this little darling to make her debut.

I smile as her pregnant cuteness cascades from every pour of her body. It’s something I’ve always wanted, but I just haven’t been lucky enough to conceive.

Sammy and I met during a family readiness meeting just before our husbands deployed together. We all intently listened as the speakers went over details of the upcoming deployment. Once they were done speaking, we were released for a meet and greet of the family’s where we both met. Once we started talking to one another we just clicked and became friends ever since.

Rushing over to her side, I latch onto her arm and show her over to the couch, where she promptly topples over into a heaping mess.

I swear, all I’ve been doing these last few days is errands. Life has not been easy with Jake away. Sammy leans back onto the couch and attempts to remove her slip-on shoes. Heck, I can’t even get these things off my feet they are so swollen. Rolling her eyes, she gives up after one final attempt.

Well, only four more months and our men will be home from this ghastly war. I slide down to the floor, sitting on my knees beside Sammy’s feet, and attempt to unleash her hoof from their confines. My fingers slip the first time sending my hand knuckle first into the coffee table. Shoot. I cry out in pain, waving my hand as waves of pain manifest from my knuckle and move back towards my wrist.

Straining to look up over her belly at me, she begins to speak, No, honey. It’s OK. I should wait till I get home anyhow. Can you imagine how hard those things would be to put back on? Her tone rises as she finishes her sentence. It’s not worth it.

Not giving up, I make one last attempt to get her shoes off. Pushing my pointer finger into the back of her shoe, by her ankle, I tug so hard that a loud fart escapes, knocking me back onto my butt from the force I put on the shoe. We both giggle as I hold the shoe up into the air. At least I got it off!

Ah. Yes. Her head falls back on the couch, like her biggest struggle in life has been lifted from her shoulders. Thank you, Rowan. Having just one off is a blessing.

My eyes squint as I’m ready to tackle the other size eight shoe with a size nine foot wedged inside it. Her feet are obviously swollen, typical with women this late into their pregnancy. I got this!

Sammy belts out another laugh. I swear you act just like our husbands. It’s the military that’s been instilled in that pretty little head of yours.

Smiling at Sammy, I push my already swollen finger into the back of her other shoe and push with all my might. After a few seconds, the shoe flies off her foot and towards the television.

You did it! Sammy pulls her feet up and places them on my coffee table. Some people would consider this rude, but in her case, I will allow her to do whatever she wants.

Sammy’s husband, Jake, came home on rest and relaxation, which is also called R & R in military terms, for a brief leave. He got to spend three weeks with her and Ta-Da! She got pregnant. The only downside to this wonderful present she is sharing with Jake is that our husband’s deployments had been lengthened by about six months. They had the pregnancy planned so he would be home about a month before she had the baby. Instead, the baby will be about three months old.

Standing up, I look around my cozy little home and realize I’m lucky that I haven’t had any children yet. Although we live in a two-bedroom house, it is way too small for another person. Military housing isn’t the best thing to live in, but it makes me feel better when my husband is away on deployments. At least I know I’m safe, tucked away behind a fenced in community.

I shake my head and think for a moment. Well, maybe it’s not as safe as I would like to think, but at least crime isn’t as bad as in other places.

Why the long face? Sammy perks up, attempting to sit a little taller. Her round body doesn’t allow her to move much more. Damn butt. She lets out a long, drawn-out sigh. Little Ms. Emma better be coming within the next few days. I’m at my wits-end with not being able to move, bend over, paint my toes, wipe my butt...

My attention moves from my thoughts and straight to her words. What?

Oh, my! If you could see your cute little face right now. Sammy howls with laughter. All-of-a-sudden she stops, and her deep brown eyes grab hold of mine. I think little Emma is coming right now.

My head turns to the side as I contemplate why she would say something like that. She didn’t grab her belly like she had when she walked in the door, and her face seems calm. Feet are still resting on the table, and her hands are placed on her belly. Then I see it. Drips are pooling at the base of my couch and the stream steadily flows from her ass. Sammy! My arm has a mind of its own in this moment and points down at her body parts.

Her voice becomes frantic as she watches my gestures. Well, don’t just stand there! Help me up! She maneuvers both hands frontward and attempts to rock forward, but her pregnancy belly is so heavy, she falls right back to where she started.

Oh my, I shriek. Grabbing her hands, I heave her off the couch and take notice that her grey yoga pants are darker than usual in the crotch section. Should we call 9-1-1?

Sammy giggles. "I guess we could do that, but why wait on the military police, to get here when we could take the car?" Waddling to the door, she turns the handle and pulls open the large wooden exit.

Oh, ah... Let me get towels? Taking steps towards my hall closet where we keep our towels, Sammy stops me.

No. I have towels in my van. We will take that, but I need you to drive. A scream manifests itself out of her lips as she doubles over in pain. Her breathing becomes short, quick breaths just like the ones they had taught us during our coaching sessions in Lamaze class.

Since Jake was still deployed, I figured she would need someone to help her out and took on that role. Not that it was a big deal, because Sammy is a great person, and I would hope someone would step in and help me if I needed it. Typically, the military community is fortunate because we all help each other out, but you must be careful, because sometimes there are women who are out there just for themselves. Luckily, I’ve been fortunate enough to hear all the horror stories and not deal with any of these hellish stories directly.

Moving quickly to her side, I place my arm out so she is able to latch on. Slowly moving her outside, I open the passenger side of the van and quickly find the towels on the floor of the vehicle.

Give me a sec, I just need to lay these on the seat. Sam doesn’t say anything, but she continues her breathing exercises to the left of me, propped up on the dark blue van.

As I unfold and neatly layout the towels on the seat, I hear her whimpering. Hurry up. I don’t think this little girl is going to give us very long.

There. Get in! I bite my lower lip as I try to help her into the van, her wet tights hitting my arm. I don’t contemplate what just happened, but instead, I focus on the urgency of this miracle child’s birthday possibly being today.

Today. My three-year wedding anniversary. With this incident, I just about forgot. Three years ago, I married my best friend. The man who stood beside me as we placed our little hands on top of one another’s and said, Friends for life. A warm sensation overwhelms me as I hop into the driver’s seat of Sammy’s van.

I’d never looked back on that day, not until the day Greg finally asked me out. We were seventeen years old, and I knew at fifteen that he liked me. But, because of Mac, I didn’t want to make things awkward. Not that Mac would have minded. He was serious when he said we should never date within our circle of three. He wasn’t into girls at the time really but would rather play his video games. We all hung out together, even after Greg and I started dating. Nothing changed for the three of us, because we were careful about overstepping our bounds while Mac was around. We were committed to our little Snap, Crackle, and Pop group, and we held a strong vow to always be friends.

Rowan, do you need help starting the van? Sammy’s voice pierces through my thoughts like a dagger.

I’m sorry. Turning the key, the engine purrs like a kitten and I put the van in gear. I was lost in a thought.

A good one I hope? Sammy pushes her words through clenched squinted teeth. I have a feeling this baby is coming in this van. I feel so much pressure down there.

Oh, god. Pushing the pedal to the floor, I round my driveway and make it out onto the road. Luckily, I live on the back part of the installation, so there aren’t any lights to the hospital. Please keep Emma in there. I don’t know how to deliver a baby.

I try humming to pass the time while Sammy squirms in pain. I don’t know why this lady hasn’t yelled, but she’s managed to keep all of it in. Focused. She learned a lot from her classes, and I’m thankful for that. If she starts freaking out, I wouldn’t know what to do.

Just a few more minutes, Sammy. I’ll have you there. Biting my bottom lip a little harder, I begin to taste a metallic flavor in my mouth. Pulling my arm to my lip, I allow something wet to crawl across my arm and pull it out to have a look. Shit. I whisper to myself. With all of the tension, I’d managed to make myself bleed fairly well.

What? A dazed and confused Sammy lays her head in my direction. Are you OK? Her eyes look to be very sleepy.

What? Wait. Are you OK? I take another look at her, and it seems as though she might be passing out. Oh, Sammy. Give me like twenty seconds. I just need to make it around that corner up there.

Forgetting about my blood laden fat lip, I step on the peddle a little harder to get to the corner a little quicker. As we come up on the stop sign, I feel the van jerk causing me to stomp on the break. The van doesn’t stop in time and the sign hits the front of the van. Shit! I’m sorry, Sam.

I glance in her direction, and she hovers forward, holding her stomach. It hurts, Ro. She grits down on her lip and squeezes her words through clenched teeth. Please don’t make this baby come sooner.

Once the van comes to a stop, I back out of the small ditch enough to get the van back on the road. Look, the hospital is not even a half-mile up the road. We are there!

Sammy’s head bobs back and forth as she leans forward and places her head on the dashboard. The baby. She slowly breathes out from between swollen lips.

The van makes it into the emergency entrance of the hospital, where I just barely get the van into park before I’m swinging the door open and jumping out.

Hey! You can’t park that there! an older man in blue scrubs says as he shakes his fist in the air.

My friend is in labor. She’s about to have a baby! Rushing to her side of the van, I open it and find she has passed out. Holy shit! Blood! Turning to the man who now stands two feet from Sammy and I, I watch as his eyes and mouth grow into a deep ‘O’ shape.

One minute. He runs inside and back out before I have time to turn back to my friend. Three people follow him out as he makes his way to the side of the van. We are going to take her from here. Please park your van and meet us inside.

Once Sammy is safely inside the emergency room, I walk back over to the van and view all the blood that soaks the towels. Oh my god. Please, dear Lord, don’t let her be hurt. Shutting the passenger’s door, I rush to the other side and open the entrance. Swinging my leg through the door and pulling myself in, with the aid of the steering wheel, I drive the van to park where the man had requested.

Giving myself a moment to breath, a tear slips from my eyes after realizing I have no idea what is happening to my friend. A trash bag sits in the middle of the van, so I grab it and open the door, hopping out into the desolate parking lot, except for a few cars situated besides the building. Most likely the staff’s parking. Slamming the door shut, I make my way around and reopen the passenger side. My stomach heaves as I’m about to vomit, but somehow I manage to keep my breakfast down and pick up the bloody towels to put into the trash bags.

Once I’m done, I tie the black sack in a knot and toss the bag onto the passenger’s side floor. Closing that door, I slide open the side of the van and grab Sammy’s overnight bag for the hospital. She and I had practiced this drill so many times. I even helped her pack her bag, although, it was packed for five days and not just for overnight. The evening we put this piece of luggage together we had a lot of laughs. Not only does she have a week’s worth of clothes, but so does Emma, with all the necessary essentials.

A weight is lifted from my shoulders as I roll the suitcase along the parking lot and back towards the emergency room doors. The glass door swiftly extracts themselves from the center, quickly gliding to the left and right, allowing me to fully enter.

After taking a few steps in, I look around and notice the same man from earlier quickly approaching me. His eyes are still wide, and his face is a pasty white.

Are you the girl who just brought in the pregnant lady? his tenner voice quivers as he speaks.

My heart does a flip-flop and my gut drops about a foot into my legs. Yes, I’m Rowan. How is she doing? I clench tighter to the suitcase.

He reaches forward and places his hands on mine. Please, come with me. With that, he