Only You: Willow Bend Romances, #5

By Mona Ingram

Brady Ferguson has been treading water for the past ten years. A gifted fashion photographer, he was forced to leave the job of a lifetime and has turned his talents toward industrial photography. Withdrawn and suspicious of most people in his orbit, he hesitates to accept an offer from Bella, the famous children's wear firm. Wrongly accused in the past, he can't bear the thought of dredging up those painful memories. Raphael Vargas convinces him to come back to his first love, and when he meets Savannah Mitchell he knows he's made the right decision. A single mother, Savannah has issues of her own. Together, can they learn to overcome the past?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mona Ingram
• Release date: May 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781927745632

Mona Ingram

Mona Ingram loves to make up stories and is the author of more than four dozen romances. Most mornings she can be found at her computer, trying to keep up with the characters in her current work, many of whom invariably want to go off in a completely different direction than she planned. But that’s the joy of writing. An avid bird watcher, Mona is particularly happy when she can combine bird watching with travel.

Book preview

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WILLOW BEND ROMANCES

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Book Five

Only You

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by

Mona Ingram

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Cover Design:

Elizabeth Mackey Graphic Design

Copyright © 2021 Mona Ingram

All rights reserved.

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This is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locations is entirely coincidental.

Willow Bend exists only in the author’s imagination.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

Chapter One

I like her Mommy. Missy reached for Savannah’s hand as they crossed the parking lot. She came out to the Child Care Center and talked to us kids and everything.

Yes, she’s very nice. Savannah had been startled earlier in the day to look up and see Bella speaking to Jasmine and Melissa. Even though Bella’s hair was blonde and Melissa was dark, the resemblance was clear. She hadn’t known Bella was coming for a visit, but considering Carla’s baby was only a week old the visit made sense; everyone in the company knew they’d been friends forever.

She’d gone back to the task at hand and didn’t notice Bella approaching.

Glad to see you got away from that restaurant, she said with a smile. How do you like it here?

Savannah tried not to gush. It’s amazing. Working for someone who actually cares about their employees takes some getting used to.

Bella’s gaze drifted around the production floor and her expression turned wistful. When Sofia and I first started in California we had mostly immigrant women working with us. It didn’t take long for us to learn that the more you give, the more you get. They were amazing workers.

Well this is the most... how can I put it... forward thinking company I’ve ever worked for. Thank you for hiring me.

That was Carla’s doing, but you’re welcome.

Please tell her I said hello.

Will do. By the way, you’re working tomorrow, aren’t you?

Yes, I start at eight.

Let’s have lunch together, okay? That is if you don’t have anything else planned.

Is everything okay? Have I done something wrong?

No, not at all. Bella paused for a heartbeat. It’s just that I see a lot of myself in you. I suspect we have a lot in common.

Savannah relaxed. Oh, okay. I usually bring a sandwich and have a quick visit with Missy, but adult company would be a nice change.

Great. We’ll grab a quick bite at the Bistro. See you tomorrow.

Savannah pondered Bella’s invitation for the rest of the day. By the time she finished work she’d come to the conclusion that the lunch date was simply what Bella had said. She began to look forward to it.

Mommy, can we go to the park? Missy’s voice brought her back to the present. Just for a little while?

She checked the child’s seatbelt. Did you have a nap this afternoon?

The child rolled her eyes. We have a nap every afternoon.

Then I guess the answer is yes. Shortly after starting at Bella, Savannah had begun taking Missy to the park a couple of times a week after work.

When she arrived in Willow Bend she’d been lucky to find a small park model. The only drawback was that the development where they now lived catered mostly to the senior crowd. They were friendly and fawned over Missy, but there was no common area to speak of, and very few children around.

Goody. Missy settled back and looked out the window as Savannah drove. The child had an amazingly good memory and often commented on changes to various properties. Last week she’d noticed a new mail box that had appeared at the end of a driveway. The way the child studied the beautiful homes they passed made Savannah wonder if the child craved a more ‘normal’ life with two parents, like most of her friends. Savannah’s job at Bella wasn’t exactly a career, but the pay was good and the company was solid. She would do anything for her daughter, short of marrying a man she didn’t love. She knew women who had married for the perceived stability a marriage offered, only to be bitterly disappointed when their dreams were shattered. By now she had come to realize that the most valuable thing she could offer her daughter was unconditional love and a stable environment. So far the move here to Willow Bend was providing just that. She glanced in the rear view mirror, smiling when she saw Missy studying the homes and softly humming a song she’d learned at Child Care.

Mommy, the fountain!

Just a sec Sweetie, I’m parking. Much to Missy’s disappointment, the fountain in the park had been undergoing maintenance the last two times they visited. But now she could see the spray of water arcing gracefully in the late afternoon sun.

They had developed a bit of a routine for their visits, usually stopping at the swings first before moving on to the jungle gym. Today was no different.

Would you like a push?

Yes, please. The joy on the child’s face made Savannah’s heart swell with love. Friends with older children were quick to remind her to enjoy this phase. ‘They change soon enough when they reach twelve,’ was the general consensus. Savannah didn’t look forward to that day.

Enough, Mommy. Missy spotted a girl who was often here at the same time. Can I go play with Kaylee on the jungle gym?

Sure. Savannah didn’t mind a few minutes to herself. She often sat quietly on a bench which was tucked under a Southern Red Oak. Missy ran ahead and she proceeded more slowly, startled to find a man sitting in her usual spot. He was watching a young boy who appeared hesitant about going down the slide. She didn’t remember seeing him here before and wondered if he was aware that he was overdressed. Everything about his attire was impeccable, from the casual knotted silk at his throat to the knife-edge crease in his tan slacks. On his feet he wore wine colored tasseled loafers with no socks. He looked like he’d stepped out of the pages of a men’s fashion magazine.

I’m sorry. Am I in your spot?

His question startled her but she recovered. No. She looked around for another bench, but was fairly sure that this was the only one.

He patted the wooden slats beside him. There’s plenty of room. He gave her a dazzling smile. My name is Braxton Rafferty.

Of course it is, she thought to herself.

He rose to his feet. Excuse me. My sainted mother would be horrified that I didn’t get up right away. ‘Braxton,’ he said in what Savannah suspected was an excellent imitation of his mother, ‘no Southern gentleman greets a lady sitting down’.

Savannah laughed. I promise not to tell.

He executed a deep bow.

Savannah sat down and indicated the young boy. Your son?

His expression grew wistful. No, my nephew Connor.

They’re so full of energy at this stage, aren’t they?

And demanding! he said with a wry smile. Today he let me know in no uncertain terms that he expected me to bring him here.

I don’t recall seeing you before.

We’ve only come a couple of times. I saw you last time. Your daughter – at least I assume it’s your daughter – was inspecting the fountain.

Savannah nodded. It’s the highlight of her visit. She loves to toss in a coin. One day a few weeks ago she saw an older woman flipping a coin backwards over her shoulder and now Missy insists on doing the same. She smiled. It’s quite sweet, really. Oh, here she comes now. Running, as usual.

Missy skidded to a stop in front of the adults and looked from her mother to the strange man. Hello, she said with a frown. Who are you?

Delighted to meet you, young lady. Braxton held out a hand. My name is Braxton Rafferty.

She gave him a tentative smile. I’m Missy Mitchell. What are those things on your shoes?

Missy!

Braxton chuckled. It’s okay. He turned back to the child. They’re called tassels.

Missy frowned. What are they for?

Braxton looked down at his shoes. I’ve never really thought about it. Decoration, I suppose.

Oh, okay. Mommy, can we walk over to the fountain now?

Sure. She rose and looked down at Braxton. Nice meeting you.

You, too. See you again some time.

He stood. You can count on it.

Missy tugged at her hand. Come on, Mommy.

Savannah shrugged and followed. Missy ran to the far side of the fountain, a spot she had determined was ‘the best’ for launching coins. Watching her daughter backlit by the sparkling water, she was overcome with gratitude that Carla and Bella had found her that day in the restaurant.

Your turn. Missy reached into Savannah’s pocket where she kept the brightest ‘wishing’ pennies and handed one to her. Don’t forget to wish.

Savannah never wished, but she didn’t tell her daughter that. Willow Bend had become home and she was grateful for her new Bella family. For the time being, that was her reward.

As she tossed her coin she looked past the water and saw Braxton watching them with that same wistful expression. As she wondered about his story, his nephew came running up and he looked away. If she had to guess, she’d say that Braxton had suffered a romantic breakup recently. She doubted that he would confide in her, but if he did, the least she could do was listen.

Mommy, said Missy on the way home. Is that man poor?

You mean Braxton? Why would you ask that?

Because he has no socks. Maybe we should buy him some socks.

That’s sweet of you, but I don’t think Braxton is poor. It’s just his idea of fashion.

Huh. Strange idea.

Maybe, but think how boring life would be if we all liked the same things.

I guess so. Missy fell silent, evidently satisfied with the response.

Chapter Two

The next morning Savannah took extra care with her appearance. Although she hated to admit it, she was nervous about her upcoming lunch date with Bella. After all, the older woman ran a multi-million dollar company... along with her husband... and Savannah was more than a little impressed, not to mention intimidated.

Savannah felt Missy’s eyes on her and checked the rear view mirror. You’re quiet today, said the child. Are you feeling okay?

I’m fine Sweetie; just thinking. She knew better than to mention her lunch date with Bella. It would be only normal for Missy to tell the other children in the Child Care Center, and who knows how the story would be interpreted. She could tell Missy all about it later.

In spite of her anxiety, the morning passed quickly and before she knew it, she was seated at one of the outside tables at the Bistro.

Hello, ladies. Ashley greeted them warmly. "What can I get