The MacBrides: Hannah and Ash

By J.L. Petersen

Hannah was proud to be part of the MacBride clan. She loved her family, their land and her lavender. When she found a love she'd wished for all her life on a trip to Paris she thought she had it all. But hidden circumstances separated them leaving her back home with an unexpected reminder of her brief love affair. When Ash shows up on their ranch she is torn between wanting to share all her joy with him and afraid to trust him to love her, not just their child.

• Language: English
• Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing
• Release date: Oct 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781631122279

J.L. Petersen

J.L. Petersen is a lifelong reader of romance and mystery novels. She resides in Denver, Colorado, with her husband. Love in a Moment is the first installment of an intended trilogy.

Book preview

1

H annah.

Hannah, he said softly as he caressed her face. His touch was so loving. The way he looked at her melted her heart. What took you so long to come into my life?

She was laying on her side, snuggled close to his chest. Smiling at him, she lifted her arm to run it down his naked back. His lovemaking dispelled any lingering doubts she held onto about knowing him less than two weeks before she found herself in his bed. I guess you were looking in all the wrong places, she teased.

A shadow crossed over his face before fading away to a very serious look. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. If you only knew.

Concerned and with a slight feeling of trepidation, Hannah lifted up on her side. What’s wrong?

He turned his head to look at her but before he could speak, the door to the bedroom flew open and an angry woman strode in.

So, this is your idea of ‘needing time’? How many others have you cheated with?" The woman yelled.

Hannah sunk beneath the covers, confused and embarrassed. She watched as the man she loved and gave herself to, swung out of bed, and stood stark-assed naked before reaching for his boxers.

Tessa, you need to leave, he told the irate woman sternly. I’ll talk to you later. But you need to leave. Now!

Hannah felt those angry eyes turn with laser focus on her and after a heartbeat the woman she said the words that would crush Hannah in a way nothing else could’ve.

My fiancé apparently lacks the decency and honor to remain faithful. I hope you didn’t expect anything from him other than a quick tumble. And with those devastating words she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Hannah looked at the man still standing beside the bed with fists clenched and waited until he turned to her. Is it true? Is she your fiancée?

"Hannah."

Hannah felt hysteria rise and knew she needed to escape before she crumbled. Jumping out of bed she started to scramble for her clothes. Oh my god! It’s true. She’s your fiancée.

She felt strong hands wrap around her shoulders. Please, stop. Let me explain, he pleaded.

Explain? You’ve had days to explain. You took me to your bed knowing I would never have gone to bed…hell, I would never have even spent any time with you if I’d known. How could you lie to me like that? She cried.

His hands dropped from her shoulders, and he ran one of those hands down his face. I know. It’s complicated. I’ve screwed up. He looked at her, pleading. But please, let me explain.

Gathering what she could of her draining emotional energy she looked at him without flinching. No. Just leave me alone.

Hannah. She heard her name called again but with more urgency.

Confused for a moment about where she was, it slowly started coming back to her. Good god, she had fainted. She’d never fainted before in her life.

Today was her brother Clay, and new sister-in-law, Sandy’s wedding and it was being held in the backyard of the main homestead on the family ranch. Frowning, she tried to remember more.

She remembered helping Sandy get ready along with her sister Sarah and Sandy’s sister, RJ. They’d joked about RJ and Hannah’s other brother, Logan, having gotten engaged the night before.

Then it came to her. Ash. He was here. At the wedding. She remembered the feeling of being watched as she stood up front during the ceremony and scanned the crowd. When her eyes found his she’d panicked. Which is why she had escaped to this private area after the ceremony had ended. How had he found her? Oh, my god! He couldn’t know of the baby. The one they created on their single night together. The one she hadn’t even told her family about. Oh, god, please make him go away, she pleaded.

Hannah. Sweetheart. You’re scaring me. Come on now, open your eyes. She heard his voice plead and a gentle tapping against her cheek. Guess he wasn’t going away, she thought. She couldn’t lie here much longer without attracting attention, if she hadn’t already done so. She slowly opened her eyes, preparing herself to see his face for the first time in two and a half months. Or at least for the first time in person if she didn’t count her dreams.

Ash? What are you doing here?

Thank god. You scared the hell out of me when you fainted, he said softly as he ran his hand gently down the side of her face.

The touch scared her. It brought back feelings for him she’d been trying to eradicate. Please help me up before we draw attention.

Are you sure you’re steady enough?

Yes. Please just help me get to my feet.

She managed to stand up somewhat gracefully with his aid. Once she felt steady on her feet, she brushed at her dress to make sure it was all in place. Then she took a few steps away from him giving her the physical distance she needed. When she finally looked up at him she was stunned to see he had lost weight and looked haggard. Struggling against her natural tendency to want to help someone who was hurting, she repeated her question.

What are you doing here, Ash?

It’s a long story. Can we go somewhere and talk?

No. It’s my brother’s wedding and I have to see to things for the reception. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave.

I’m not going anywhere. I’ve gone out of my mind trying to find you and now that I have, I’m not leaving until we talk. His decisive tone and body language put her on alert. His strength of mind was what attracted her in the first place. Now it just irritated.

Fine. But not here at my brother’s wedding. Where are you staying?

He studied her as if trying to gauge her mood. I’m staying with a friend. Doug Farley.

Her eyebrows rose at that. Talk about a small world. Sandy’s sister, RJ hired Doug to help take wedding pictures. RJ was a photographer by trade but seeing that she was also the sister of the bride and in the wedding, she couldn’t do all the photography.

RJ, now engaged to Hannah’s brother Logan, found Doug when she was researching relocating to the area to be near her sister. All Hannah knew of Doug was that he was some sort of famous photojournalist, and someone that openly flirted with her mother.

I know him. If you give me your cell number, I’ll call you tomorrow to arrange a time and place. It only took a moment to realize she didn’t have her phone on her.

Give me your number and I’ll text it to you. He replied drawing out his phone when he saw her patting her dress as if to look for her phone.

Considering he’d have her number once she called, she rattled it off.

I’ll be looking for a call in the morning, Hannah. If I don’t hear from you I won’t hesitate to find you.

Then to her utter surprise, he stepped in closer before reaching out and pulling her into his embrace and kissed her. He kissed as if he were starving for her. Her heart raced as her arms seemed to have a will of their own and slid slowly up over his shoulders and laced into his hair. Heat swirled throughout her body. Her softness melded to his hard frame as if they were lock and key. So lost in the feelings the kiss was generating, she almost begged for more when he suddenly broke the kiss off and stepped back from her.

Tomorrow, Hannah. His voice was ragged as he made that proclamation then strode off towards the front of the house.

Hannah didn’t know how long she stood there trying to regain her composure when an arm came around her waist. Recognizing her mother’s touch, she tried to finish harnessing her emotions.

Are you okay, Hannah? her mother asked.

Wrapping her arm through her mother’s they turned together to walk back to the reception. Yes, the excitement got to me for a moment. The ceremony was beautiful, don’t you think?

Bea MacBride didn’t raise six children and come away without an instinct about when something was wrong with one of her brood. And wasn’t it interesting that Hannah was watching Doug Farley’s friend, Ash, drive off? Bea had met Ash a few days ago. He’d shown up with Doug by his side at the restaurant she where she was dining. She’d invited him to the wedding. Now she was wondering if that was a good decision. But she knew now wasn’t the time to dig in with Hannah. Yes, it was beautiful.

Later, after the newlyweds had taken off and the guests had left, Bea went in search of her eldest daughter again. She found her sitting on the front porch steps looking awfully fragile. Taking a seat next to Hannah, she took her shoes off and wiggled her toes. Oh, that feels so good. She sighed.

I know. Hannah agreed, stretching out her legs to wiggle her toes at her mom. Beat you to it.

Bea laughed. It was worth the pain though, Clay and Sandy looked so happy.

Hannah nodded. I can’t believe Clay hung in there so long before he took Sandy away, she said. And Logan is over the moon in love with RJ.

Bea smiled at the thought of her two boys. Logan was the oldest and he fell like the proverbial ton of bricks when RJ showed up to help her sister, Sandy, plan this wedding. Clay was two years younger and now happily married to Sandy. Hannah was Bea’s third child, and she cherished her first daughter. After that came Brand, Sarah and Jacob. All of whom gave her purpose and hope, especially after she’d lost her husband eight years ago.

Yes, those boys found their loves and I couldn’t be happier. Sandy and RJ are perfect for them and fit into the family wonderfully. Putting her arm over Hannah’s shoulders she gave her a gentle hug. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s keeping you from being happy?

She watched her daughter valiantly try to hold her tears in and ached for her. But Hannah had to offer up what was troubling her. She couldn’t force it out of her. Hannah was an adult woman who had more than earned her right to privacy.

I’m pregnant. The words came the tearful admission.

Well, that wasn’t what she expected. She wrapped her arms around Hannah in support. Oh, honey, it’s going to be okay. How far along are you?

Ten weeks.

Doing the math, Bea realized this had something to do with Paris. Hannah had come back from that trip early and been melancholy since. I assume you mean to keep your child.

The transformation that came over Hannah’s face was revealing. It glowed. Oh, yes. I want this child. I just found out last week and I’m still in something of a shock. But I so want this child.

2

The next morning Hannah woke to the sounds of chairs clanging together and voices coming from the backyard. Opening her eyes, she stretched her body awake. She was amazed that she had managed to fall asleep last night after speaking with her mom. It seemed pregnancy could be exhausting. The loud sounds from the backyard reminded her that her mom was going to host the family for brunch this morning. Kicking off the sheet, she stood and ambled over to the window.

It was still early, and the summer mountain air was crisp. It was what she loved about living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Especially in this valley near Grand Junction. The weather was spectacular.

The activity below was the rental crew and catering company cleaning up from yesterday’s festivities. Chairs were folded and stacked on a flatbed trolley. Four men were working to take down the white tent where dinner had been served. Crates with glasses and plates were being hauled towards the front of the house where Hannah assumed the catering van was parked.

A quick peek at the time on her bedside clock had her hustling into her little ensuite bathroom to take a quick shower before heading downstairs to help her mom with brunch. As she stood under the spray, washing off the stickiness of the copious hairspray used to hold her wedding updo in place, she felt both relief and fear in facing the day. It felt good to have finally told her mother of her condition. At twenty-nine she never expected she’d find herself with an unplanned pregnancy. In her heart, she never doubted her mom would give her anything other than unconditional love and support. But it was still hard to get the words out.

They had stayed outside late last night, talking. Hannah shared the full story with her mom including who the father was and her surprise at his showing up yesterday. Thinking of having to face Ash today brought those memories to the forefront yet again. Despite how it ended, the first days of their love affair had been magical.

She’d loved Paris. The first time she went several years ago, she’d found her love for producing lavender. Her family came from a long line of ranchers and keepers of the land. Her parents had taught her and her siblings to respect the land and how to be good caretakers. For generations, the land was used solely for cattle and hay. But as each of her siblings came of age, new ideas for diversifying were nurtured and brought to life. Her brother and sister, Clay and Sarah, started a vineyard and produced a successful Rocking Bar label. Jacob opted to join the military, which doubtlessly had something to do with being the baby in the family. Her other brothers, Logan and Brand, managed the ranch. For her, the lavender business had been steadily growing. She had new fields to expand the line of products she made from the plants’ oils as well as harvesting and drying the plants themselves.

On her first day back in Paris she’d quickly settled into her hotel then went strolling through the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. It was, oddly, an English landscaped park. But the grotto, waterfalls and Roman