Saving Fiona

By Paige Warren

On the run from her abusive boyfriend, the last thing Fiona expected was for a sexy cowboy to rescue her! 

 

Fiona St. James made one terrible mistake, and it's haunted her ever since. She trusted the wrong man. He'd seemed charming. Until she ended up pregnant. Once Garrett convinced her to move in, he changed. Her Prince Charming became emotionally, physically, and verbally abusive. It was only a matter of time before Fiona paid the ultimate price. So she ran... 

 

Aaron Forrest is a cowboy by day and a web designer by night... and blissfully single. Not once has he ever been tempted to hang onto a woman for more than a few months. But maybe he just hadn't met the right woman yet, because one look in Fiona's eyes, and he's a goner. Now he just needs to convince her to stay -- forever. 

 

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Saving Fiona was originally released as a sweet romance titled Baby and All. It has been revised with steamy scenes added and is now 6000 words longer than before. The overall storyline hasn't changed (just the heat level).

• Language: English
• Publisher: JCS Books
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201169213

Book preview

Saving Fiona

Paige Warren

JCS Books

Copyright 2009, 2022 Paige Warren

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Publisher’s Note:

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual places, people, or events is purely coincidental. Any trademarks mentioned herein aren't authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks used are specifically in a descriptive capacity. Picture used for cover art courtesy of freestockphoto.com, cover created by J. Smith

Cover Created by Jessica Coulter Smith

Cover images purchased from Deposit Photo, CanStock Photo, and Adobe Stock

Second Edition

Contents

1. Chapter One

2. Chapter Two

3. Chapter Three

4. Chapter Four

5. Chapter Five

6. Chapter Six

7. Chapter Seven

8. Chapter Eight

9. Chapter Nine

10. Chapter Ten

11. Epilogue – Part 1

12. Epilogue – Part 2

Other Titles by Paige Warren

About the Author

Chapter One

Fiona’s heart raced as she sped along the highway, heading south toward Texas. She’d fled from Denver, Colorado, earlier that morning. It had only been one mistake. One. But when Fiona messed up, she did it in a big way. She couldn’t stop looking in her rearview mirror, dreading what she’d find. So far, no one followed.

Willing her heart to slow its rapid pace, she absently rubbed her swollen belly. Seven months pregnant and all she had to show for it was an abusive boyfriend—ex-boyfriend—and a beat-up car. She had no job, no house, no husband… there was less than two-hundred dollars in her wallet and one credit card she’d made sure to pay off last month, knowing the time was getting near for her to make a run for it.

Thinking back, Fi realized it wasn’t any wonder she’d fallen for Garrett. With this tall, muscular frame, blond Adonis good looks, and smooth talking, she hadn’t stood a chance. He’d been the perfect gentlemen the first few months they were together. Then he’d found out she was pregnant and had asked her to move in with him. It hadn’t taken long for his true colors to show. At first, it had only been arguments with lots of yelling and threats being screamed at her, but later… well, later she’d had to hide the bruises from the few friends she had. She’d told herself she only hid them so her friends wouldn’t worry about her. If she were honest, she’d admit it embarrassed her. She didn’t want anyone to know how weak she was.

In high school, Fi hadn’t been the most popular girl in school, but she’d had a lot of friends. After graduation, she’d moved from Montana to Colorado, hoping for excitement and adventure. Instead, she’d found jobs waiting tables and occasionally she’d been lucky enough to get some office work. It paid the rent, but it didn’t make her happy. She took classes at night, trying to get her degree, but she was still a long way off from finishing. She wasn’t sure when, or how, she’d gotten sidetracked from her life goals, but now she found herself alone and pregnant, twenty-three and on the run from the man who supposedly loved her.

She knew different now. If Garrett truly cared for her, he wouldn’t abuse her verbally and physically. She had someone else to consider now. No way she’d raise a baby with a man like him!

Fiona squinted at the green sign coming up. Amarillo 200 Miles.

She mumbled under her breath. She was never going to make it to Mt. Pleasant, Texas, at this rate. It was the only destination she could think of where Garrett wouldn’t find her. Or at least, she hoped he wouldn’t find her. She’d had an aunt who had lived there a while back. When Aunt Mae had died, she’d left her small house to Fiona. Thankfully, Fi had never mentioned it to Garrett. Maybe deep down, she’d always thought she might need it in the future.

On the plus side, she’d already traveled over two-hundred miles. She’d been on the road for about three hours and knew she needed to stop. Her doctor had warned her that she shouldn’t travel once she passed the six-month mark. However, extreme times called for extreme measures. Surely if she took a break every few hours, she’d be okay.

Pulling over at the next exit, she located a McDonald’s. As she parked the car, she turned off the engine and let her eyes rest for a moment. She was always tired these days. She only hoped she could make it to Mt. Pleasant on what little money she had. If she had to stay in a hotel tonight, she could use her credit card, but Fi really wanted to avoid that, if at all possible.

Sighing, she grabbed her purse and hauled herself out of the car. She shook her head in disgust as she eyed the poor excuse for a vehicle. Fi had bought it cheap since someone wrecked it several times. Since it ran well, she couldn’t really ask for more. Not on her budget.

As she locked the doors, she dropped her keys in her purse and waddled to the front door of the restaurant. Inside, cool air greeted her. While it wasn’t quite summer yet, it was a balmy seventy-five degrees… and for a pregnant woman, it might as well be one-hundred-and-five degrees.

Fi made her way up to the counter and placed her order, getting the cheapest value meal she could find. It might not be quite what she wanted, but it would sustain her for another few hours.

She rubbed a hand over her belly. I owe you some good food once we’re settled.

Paying for her meal, she picked up her tray and selected a table near the window.

Eating her food slowly, she enjoyed the air conditioning and the sounds of the birds chirping outside of the window. When she’d finished, she threw her trash away and used the restroom.

Once she was back in the car, she started the engine and backed out of the parking space. In minutes, she was back on the interstate, heading towards freedom.

As the sun rose higher and higher, Fi fought against sleep. She knew that she needed a nap, but she didn’t feel safe stopping at a rest area. Maybe she should have stopped in Amarillo, but she really didn’t want to make any more stops than she had to. Garrett would be getting home in another hour and she wanted to put as much distance between the two of them as she could.

She got back on the highway, continuing to what would be her new home.

I know our life won’t be grand, but I’ll keep you safe, she murmured to her unborn child. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you away from that monster.

She’d work two jobs. Three! Anything to give her a child a decent life. At least she wouldn’t have to pay rent. Aunt Mae had given her the greatest gift when she’d left the house to Fiona. It didn’t matter what it looked like, how big it was, or anything else. As long as it put a roof over their heads, nothing else mattered. The rest was cosmetic, and she’d fixed it over time.

We’ll be okay, she said, rubbing her belly. You’ll see. We’ll grow our own food, like Aunt Mae used to do. Maybe we can get some chickens have fresh eggs. It will be an adventure!

Her back ached, and she shifted in her seat. The sun sank lower and lower in the sky

Reviews for Saving Fiona

[Sallyanne Smith · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Hmm… it was a lovely quick story but I just wish instead of thick and fast the writer had taken time to prolong the story. It was so fast it was in parts very unrealistic.. had it been a longer book I can honestly say it would of been great. Worth a read but not long enough to get completely immersed in.