Becca's Love: Love Series, #9

By Ivy Blacke

Becca has always found comfort with a pencil and paper.  She would get lost in her art.  The kind of art that stays with you forever--Tattoos.

 

She fell in love once, and it nearly destroyed her.  Becca swore she'd never let that happen again.  There was no room for love in her world.

 

Blake fell in love with Becca the moment he laid eyes on her.  He'd never seen someone so beautiful.  They shared one perfect night together, and then she was gone.  He searched for her, but it was as if she disappeared into thin air.  

 

When Blake inadvertently finds Becca and the secret she's been hiding, will he be able to forgive her?

 

Will Becca be able to opn her heart to a man that has secrets of his own?

 

The truth is powerful, but Becca's Love will set her free.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ivy Blacke
• Release date: Feb 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223722182

Ivy Blacke

Ivy Blacke is from Pennsylvania and always enjoyed reading, writing and using her imagination.  She dreamed of publishing a book one day and decided to take a chance and started writing and hasn't stopped.  She enjoys sharing her stories with friends and family who have encouraged her to share with everyone because they laugh, they cry and they love the creativity of her writing.   She is married to a man who supports her in her love of writing and she loves that he tries to understand her creative side and encourages her to write what's in her heart.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Becca pulled up at the farm her brother worked at to see him and his girlfriend smiling at one another and ready to kiss. Her brother would move soon. Well, as soon as he trained a new farm hand. Seeing her brother Brody so happy with Sarah made her grin. I’m so glad you guys made up. This makes me almost believe in love. Becca smiled at them as they both hugged her, and Ryleigh squealed.

Bewa! Becca laughed and said, That’s all she’s been asking for.

Brody smiled and said to Becca’s daughter, who was obsessed with Sarah’s daughter Bella, Bella is in the barn. Come on.

Brody took Ryleigh and carried her to the barn while Becca and Sarah talked for a few minutes, catching up. When Becca moved toward the barn to see what trouble her daughter might get into, she wasn’t at all prepared. She froze as she walked through the barn doors.

Becca watched with horror on her face as she saw Ryleigh standing in front of a man that shouldn’t be there.

And what’s your name, princess? She heard the words come from his mouth and stood in horror, knowing what was coming.

I is Rywee Bwake Waker! Ryleigh spouted off proudly. Becca had been practicing her name with her. But when the man heard her name, he stood up and looked at Becca. Shock was apparent on his face along with anger toward the woman he faced off with.

How old are you, Ryleigh?

I free. She grinned up at the man standing in front of her and he fell back to his knees in front of her again.

That’s the best age ever. Can I hold you? the man asked, and before Becca could react, Ryleigh threw herself into his arms.

Blake stood up, holding the little girl in his arms, holding her like his life depended on not letting go. Becca dreamed of moments like this, seeing Blake holding their daughter, seeing Blake at all, really. Watching him hold their daughter brought a flood of memories back to her, memories she had long ago buried when she walked off that ranch in Montana so many years ago.

Becca seemed to come to her senses and said, Bella, can you take Ryleigh up to the house for me, please? I need to talk to Blake.

Becca moved toward Blake, and once Bella and Ryleigh left the barn, she said, Blake, what are you doing here?

No! You don’t get to ask questions, Becca, I do! Why did you leave me? Is she mine? She has my name. What the hell is going on?

Brody growled, Becca?

Brody, stand down, soldier. It’s fine. Blake won’t hurt me. He’s a good man. I’m fine, but I need to talk to Blake alone.

Brody moved to Blake, She’s my baby sister. You hurt her, I’ll kill you. Then he moved to Becca and said, Are you sure, Bec?

She nodded at him as Sarah and Brody left the barn. If she knew her brother, he wouldn’t go far, the Marine in him was too protective.

Becca looked at the man in front of her and said, Blake.

He moved to her, pulling her into his arms. Becca, I need to hold you. I’m angry, confused, but most of all, I need to hold you in my arms.

She fell into his arms and held him until everything started flashing back in her head. She pushed herself out of his arms and faced the man she hoped she’d never see again, but also wished with everything in her heart she would.

I left you because I needed to come home. Our time was over and you had your own life. I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I got back home. I didn’t contact you because I knew what we were, so yes, I gave Ryleigh your name, because she deserved to have a piece of her father, even if he wasn’t a part of her life.

Blake took a step back and ran his hand over his head, frustration and anger showing on his face when he met Becca’s eyes. But why wasn’t I part of her life? Fuck Becca, why wasn’t I part of yours? One minute we were together and the next minute you’re gone. What the hell happened?

Becca moved into his face and pointed her finger into his chest. You know damn well what happened! I wasn’t about to stick around and be a third wheel. I wanted you and only you, but I guess I wasn’t enough for you, because no sooner did I leave your bed you had another warm body to take my place.

Becca turned and went to walk away from him but he was too quick for her. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back against his chest, growling in her ear, You were always enough for me. No other woman would ever come close to you, Becca. Why would you think I’d cheapen what we had and place another woman in my bed?

Becca shuddered in his arms. Because I saw you two. I saw you standing at the bunkhouse with your shirt still off and your jeans and boots on. She came up behind you and wrapped her arms around you from behind. You smiled, you put your hands on her hands. I watched her kiss your shoulder, and as you turned into her-

Blake took a moment before he said, Are you talking about Bree? Is that who you saw with me?

Becca moved to get away from him, but he held her to him. Answer me!

Yes. Becca hissed out. It was Bree. She told me not to trust the ranch hands, especially you, but I didn’t believe her. I thought we had something together. I thought you loved me. I was a fool.

Blake let go of her and swore, Shit! Are you kidding me right now?

Blake screamed at her, You walked out on me because you saw Bree touching me?

Brody returned to the barn just as Blake was yelling at her with a rage she had never seen before. You had no right! Damn it! Ryleigh is my daughter and you just walked away without even giving me a chance to explain? Without even asking me? What kind of person does that?

Brody stepped between them and moved into Blake’s face, The kind of person who was in love with someone she thought existed, only he threw her aside for another woman after getting what he wanted. You were with another woman after sleeping with my sister. She saw you. You broke her heart!

Blake shook his head, She broke mine! He screamed in Brody’s face as he pounded his hands angrily on his own chest.

Becca watched her brother face off with the man she loved for the past four years. The man who taught her about love and then destroyed her with his infidelity. Leaving her to run home to her family to help her pick up her life and hold her together.

Becca moved behind her brother and put her hand on his shoulder. Brody. It’s okay. I’m not that same girl anymore. I got this. You don’t need to protect me.

Brody turned to look at Becca and said, I’ll always protect you, Bec. You’re my sister. I only want what’s best for you. I won’t stand by and let someone hurt you like that again. I can’t. It was too hard to watch the first time.

Becca nodded at him. It’s okay. I promise you. She hugged him and he turned back to look at Blake one last time before he headed out of the barn again.

Becca watched the man in front of her, trying to recompose himself. She remembered how when he was angry he’d take deep breaths until he felt steady again. She remembered the blazing heat in his eyes when he wrapped her in his arms and just before he would kiss her lips. When they made love, she remembered the intensity of his eyes. There wasn’t anything she didn’t remember, but there was one thing she wished she could forget.

After I saw you turn to Bree, I turned back toward the house. I had only left you an hour before. I wanted to surprise you with some breakfast. I went to the house to make something. I was on my way back to you when I saw you come out and her move in right behind you. I turned, went back to the house, packed my things, called my brother, and he booked me a flight home.

Why, Becca? Why didn’t you come and talk to me?

Becca looked up at him and let the tears slide down her cheeks. Because when Bree came back to the house she told me I wasn’t enough woman for you. She told me that after I left you, you called her to come satisfy what Becca couldn’t. She took great pleasure in telling me I meant nothing to you.

Becca–

She held her hands up to stop his words. She told me I’d never be able to keep a man like you and that I should just get out before I became the laughingstock of the ranch hands. She told me how you guys talked about women and compared notes, so to speak. Is it true, Blake? Was I just someone to pass some time with and then laugh about later? Is that what I truly meant to you? I mean, I gave you everything. I gave you every part of me: my heart, my soul, my body. I’d given no one what I gave to you. Were you laughing and telling the other hands how you scored a virgin?

You betrayed me and you broke something inside of me, Blake. You broke the part of me that believed in love. The part that thought–never mind. I don’t want to do this, Blake.

Chapter 2

Blake was in the barn when Bella entered. He knew she was coming because Brody told him his girl and her daughter were coming for a visit. The man didn’t stop talking about them. He was definitely in love. Lucky him. The only woman he loved left him like her ass was on fire and he couldn’t find her.

When Becca ran out on him, it took him a bit to realize she was gone. He was working as a ranch hand on a farm in Montana, but that’s not who he is. Who he is remains hidden. He never told Becca who he truly was, and he regretted the secrets he kept from her, but maybe he was justified. After all, she left him.

Blake had the most perfect night with her and he wanted to bask in the glow, only Bree had showed up. Then after he had faced off with her, he’d needed to get to work. He had texted Becca, but he couldn’t wait for a response because he had a job to do. Later that night, when he finally got to slow down, he realized she hadn’t called or come to see him at all.

He texted her over and over, then he called her. She never answered his texts or picked up his calls. He was lost. He didn’t know what had happened. He went up to the house and knocked, but only Bree greeted him.

The argument that ensued after that and the gloating of that bitch when she told him that Becca had left was enough to make him break his resolve to never hit a woman, because in that moment he wanted to throttle her ass.

Blake shook off the memories that always plagued him and turned back to the man who was training him when he entered the barn with a beautiful little girl. She had the most beautiful brownish colored curls, almost the color of honey, and gorgeous green eyes. Eyes that he’d seen before. Eyes that rivaled the woman who broke his heart.

Before he could say anything, Brody brought the girl to stand in front of him and said, This is my niece. My sister Becca’s daughter.

Blake looked up to meet Brody’s eyes and said, Becca?

Brody laughed, Yeah, my little sister. I thought I’d mentioned her before. Becca Adams. She’s out there talking with my girl. She’ll be in shortly. She’s never far from this little beauty.

That’s the moment Blake’s life changed. Again. All because of one name. Becca.

Blake couldn’t stop himself from getting down in front of the beautiful little girl. He couldn’t stop it any more than he could stop his next breath.

When Becca entered the barn, Blake felt it. The energy in the barn shifted and he felt his body come alive, but he didn’t turn away from the little girl in front of him. He had to know.

As soon as Ryleigh introduced herself, then told him her age, he knew. This was his daughter. She was his and Becca’s little miracle, but why? Why did Becca leave with his child inside of her without a word? He needed answers.

Before he could delve into what happened, he needed a minute. A minute with his arms around her and he pulled her to him. He was angry, hurt, confused, but he didn’t care in that moment, because Becca was in his arms. The world was right until she pulled away.

Becca’s face showed hurt, anger and none of the love that used to be there for him. What had changed? What made her leave him behind? It was time for answers. Time to get his life back. Time to know his daughter.

Too bad, Becca. We’re going to do this. I need to know why you left me and never told me I had a daughter. Surely Bree couldn’t be the reason. I never touched her. I loved you. Hell, I still do. I tried to find you. I wanted to be with you. But I didn’t know where you lived other than a town in South Carolina. We never talked about where we were from.

Becca was angry at his comment and blew up. Because you didn’t want to talk about that shit! Blake, you want to yell at me for keeping secrets? That’s the pot calling the kettle black. You never wanted to talk about yourself, so I closed of that part of me too. I wasn’t going to open myself up to someone who wouldn’t open to me. I should have known better. Damn it, Blake! Why are you here?

Blake ran his hand over his bald head and said, Because I couldn’t stay in Montana. I’ve been moving all over trying to forget you, but I fucking can’t. I came to South Carolina right after you left and tried to find you, but I had nothing to go on. Nowhere to start, so I went home for a bit, but I decided to travel. Try to forget.

Becca turned her back to him, and Blake watched her shoulders rise and fall. He watched her body and he knew she was trying to get herself under control. He saw her body move with each deep breath she took. He watched her clench and unclench her hands and he knew. She still loved him. She wouldn’t be this affected if she didn’t.

Blake moved up behind her and circled her waist with his arms. He whispered in her ear, I’ll never let you go again, Becca. You better figure out how you feel about me, because I know how I feel about you. I sure as hell know that I want to be a father to my daughter and nothing you can do will stop me. You want to know who I am and where I come from, well I promise you this. If you try to run from me again, now that I know about my daughter, you’ll find out who I really am. How far my family can reach and although I don’t want to fight with you, I will fight to have my daughter. Nothing, not even you and how much I love you, will stop me from keeping her, now that I know she exists.

Becca spun out of his hold and turned on him. Threats! You’re threatening me? How dare you?

No, Becca. How dare you! You stomped on my heart because you saw something you didn’t like and never gave me a chance to explain. You became the judge and jury, convicting me before you had all the facts. Now you can either listen to the truth or you can risk losing your daughter to her father, because I will never give her up now.

Blake knew he was skating on thin ice with threatening her, but he would have her one way or another. If he needed to resort to his family and scare her, then that’s what would be done. Becca was his. He’d do anything to have her back.

Becca’s face was red, and he knew he pushed her too far, her anger was coming to the surface.

I don’t know who you think you are, Blake Walker, but I assure you I will fight you to my death for my daughter. If you think threatening me will get you what you want, you are sadly mistaken. I have been raising her, and I had been the one to carry her and deliver her. I was the one who was sick for months and worried that I’d never be able to hold my child. My brother was by my side through it all. He supported me. He stayed with me when I was too sick to get out of bed, and he was with me through the three years of Ryleigh’s life. If you think either of us will let you step in and threaten us or her, you’ve been sadly mistaken. Threatening me won’t make me fall back into your arms again either. So if you think you can win my heart and prove me wrong in my assumptions about you then you had better do it without threats. I don’t allow bullies to run my life anymore. In fact, if you think you can bully me to get what you want, then you never were the man I thought you were. Maybe you need to go back to Bree, because she was the queen of bullying to get her way.

Becca spun on her heels and stormed out of the barn. Blake wanted to run after her, but for now, he’d wait. He’d take a step back and he’d reign in his anger. She’s right. He didn’t want to threaten her. He wanted her back in his life. He wanted his family. She didn’t respond to threats. He may have just pushed the wrong button, but he’d prove himself to her. One way or another, he would have her back in his life.

Time to make a change. He needed a home. He was fine staying on the farm when it was just him, but now; now, he had a family and he needed a home for them.

Blake left the barn and moved toward the house. Brody met him halfway to the house and said, I don’t know what is going on with you and Becca, but I won’t let you hurt her again. I don’t agree with her not telling you about Ryleigh, but that was her choice. Regardless, she’s my sister and I will always protect her from the heartbreak she suffered when I picked her up all those years ago. I had never seen her that way. Then how sick she was with Ryleigh. You have no idea how powerless I felt. I won’t allow her to feel that way again.

Blake looked Brody in the eye and said, I should have known. I would have been here for it all. I love her. I never stopped. I didn’t know where to find her and I’ll be damned if I’ll let anyone keep me from her or my daughter again.

Brody clenched his fists and said in a growl, What if she doesn’t want you?

Blake smiled up at him. That’s not possible. The woman I fell in love with is in there. She may have put up this brave warrior front, but she was always mine. Just like I’ve always been hers. I don’t care what army stands between us, I will fight. I know she still loves me. She just needs to give me a chance to tell her what really happened.

Brody shook his head, What really happened?

That’s between Becca and me. No offense, man, but back the fuck off. You’re her brother, but I’m the man who loves her more than anything in this world, so I will fight you if I have to, but I’d rather us be friends because we will be family.

Brody smiled at him and said, I like your spunk and I like you show me no fear. But I promise you, if you hurt her, if you touch her in anger, or if you do anything to hurt Ryleigh, I won’t hesitate to bury your ass. Are we clear?

Completely. There is nothing I won’t do to have Becca’s love again, but I won’t ever cause harm to her or Ryleigh.

With that out of the way, Blake told Brody that he needed the rest of the day to sort some things. He also told him he needed to find a place to live since this was going to become the place he called home, now that he had a family.

Chapter 3

Becca was furious. She went into the house. She was ready to grab Ryleigh and get out of there. When she went into the house, Brody met her and said, "Don’t even think about leaving. Sit your ass down in the kitchen with Sarah. Bella has Ryleigh and we will be talking. I just need to see Blake