Can't Walk Away (The Thomas Family Chronicles #1) Read online

  Can’t Walk Away

  The Thomas Family Chronicles, Book One

  Ashlee Taylor

  Can’t Walk Away

  Copyright © 2015 by Ashlee Taylor. All rights reserved.

  First Print Edition: July 2015

  Limitless Publishing, LLC

  Kailua, HI 96734

  www.limitlesspublishing.com

  Formatting: Limitless Publishing

  ISBN-13: 978-1-68058-226-0

  ISBN-10: 1-68058-226-7

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to two of my very good friends in the entire world.

  Stephanie Phillips & Lori Keller

  Fate brought us together but it was everything else that solidified us as friends.

  I am grateful to have both of you in my life. Thanks to you both for your continued support.

  To my children: you stand by me on a daily basis as I finally get to fulfill one of my dreams.

  I love the three of you so much.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  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

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

  Christianna

  Standing at the bar waiting for my sister to return from the dance floor, I kept my eyes focused on my drink, so deathly afraid someone would slip something into it and take advantage of me. It wasn’t like it couldn’t happen, I’d heard enough stories to know that it’s possible.

  I didn’t see him, I didn’t need to. The moment he walked up and stood next to me I could feel him, as if his presence was radiating from him in waves. The cologne he was wearing smelled like a mix of rugged man and fresh laundry, it was wonderful. I was trying desperately not to be too obvious when I took in several deep breaths to try to register that scent in my memory.

  I took another sip of my drink. The man next to me leaned on the bar, pressing his hands firmly on the top. I didn’t see him signal and I certainly didn’t hear him speak to the bartender. Nevertheless the bartender called out that he’d be right with him. I caught subtle movement to my right as the man leaned in, this time he was a foot away from my face, wearing a wicked smile.

  “Hello,” he said. I looked toward the sound of the voice. His beautiful silver grey eyes seemed to twinkle as he looked intently at me.

  “Hi.”

  “My name is Mason,” he said, sticking out his hand to me.

  I slid my hand into his and shook it in return. “Christianna.”

  “Lovely name.” A familiar green bottled beer was placed before him.

  “Thank you,” I said with a smile, his eyes still locked on mine.

  That’s about as much as I could remember from that night. Sometimes, even now, I get flashes of dancing with a dark haired man that made me feel exquisite, kisses that made me pant and bits and pieces of flesh covered muscles as they towered over me.

  Unable to remember what happened that night that caused me to let my guard down remained a mystery. I can’t begin to comprehend all that could have happened. All I know is that I was sitting here in my doctor’s office preparing for the worst.

  I’d been sick for the past couple of weeks, having dizzy spells along with trouble keeping anything down. Several scenarios were running through my head, and the internet had diagnosed me as having everything from scurvy to cancer.

  Dr. Morgan stepped into the room, he was smiling ear to ear. All I kept thinking was how this man could be smiling while I was sitting here petrified. My mind was running at a hundred miles an hour, with all my thoughts geared toward realizing that my life as I knew it was over.

  “Well, Christianna, I’ve got your test results back.”

  I inhaled a huge breath of air and held it.

  “Would you like the good news or the bad news?”

  What? Good news or bad news, what was this man playing at? Holy Mary, mother of God, I’m dying and I haven’t really lived. I could no longer contain myself.”

  “Just give it to me straight Dr. Morgan, please.”

  Preparing myself for the possibility of anything, I held on tight to the seat of my chair as he began to speak.

  “Well, you’re pregnant and we’re out of cherry lollipops. Will this orange one do?” he asked nonchalantly.

  I think I felt my heart thud one last time before coming to a complete halt. “I’m sorry…What did you say?”

  Dr. Morgan leaned forward, handing me the orange sucker before he repeated what I didn’t understand. “Congratulations, you’re pregnant.”

  The lollipop slipped from my fingers and landed on sparkling clean white linoleum, surprisingly remaining intact. I couldn’t hold back anymore, stupid internet medical diagnoses. They didn’t even come close to the possibility of me being pregnant.

  I started to cry; the tears streamed down my face and peppered dots all over my black t-shirt. How in the hell was I going to explain this to my parents? I was twenty-three, just barely into my first job out of college. I didn’t even know the name of the man whose child I was carrying. I didn’t even know where to find him.

  How stupid could I be?

  Wiping the tears away with the tissues the doctor handed me, my sobs began to subside.

  “What do I do now?” I asked.

  “Well, Christianna, you aren’t very far along yet. I can schedule you for…”

  I knew what he was going to say so I cut him off before those dreadful words could escape his mouth. “I’m keeping the baby. I just want to know what to do to make sure it’s healthy.”

  “Yes, of course,” he said before handing me several pamphlets along with a couple bottles of vitamins.

  As he went over all of the instructions, I tried hard to pay attention to them. I couldn’t, I was still on the island of disbelief and desperately looking for a raft to get the hell out of here.

  Somehow, I made it out of the office building and into my car. I did the only thing I could think of, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number I called every day. As it rang, the more nervous I became. The moment I heard the click of the line and then the voice on the other end, I lost it.

  “Hello, Angel.”

  I began to cry harder and barely got the words out.

  “Hello Mom? I need you.”

  Chapter One

  Friday, August 1st, 2014

  Christianna

  The course of true love never di
d run smooth.

  –William Shakespeare

  I tipped my head back and laughed at the email I had just received from my editor. She was going on and on about the sexual stamina the male character in my newest book had. She even went so far as to ask me if I was writing from personal experience. Truth was, I didn’t have much experience of any kind.

  Yes, I’d had sex before. I have a beautiful seven month old daughter to show for that. The relationships I’d had in the past were nothing like those I write in my books. Consider it an overactive imagination or just plain desire of what I’d really like to have, is how I explained it to her. In actuality, the man that had set my libido ablaze was the man of my literal dreams.

  Over the past six months, I’d been having the most vivid dreams I’d ever had. They seemed so real that in the morning I felt as if I’d gone ten rounds with my mystery man. They’re so strong that the moment I get to my laptop I can write from memory the most descriptive scenes anyone’s ever read.

  This man invading my subconscious mind fulfilled me in ways I couldn’t describe. He was perfection personified in my imagination. I wish he was real, because I would love to experience the material he gave me on a daily basis in real life.

  Soft little coos were coming out of the monitor on the corner of my desk. My little princess was finally awake. I quickly hit send, ending my message. I’d catch up with her later, today was a big day for my girl. Closing my laptop, I left my office and headed up the stairs to my daughter’s room.

  Layla was sitting straight up in her crib, she was playing with her little stuffed bunny smacking him against the slatted wood rails that surrounded her. It reminded me of that TV show when the drunk guy was in the jail cell, dragging his metal cup across the bars to get the sheriff to notice.

  “Good morning, sweet girl,” I said as soon as I stepped in.

  The toy quickly forgotten, she threw her arms up. Her giggles made me laugh as well.

  “You’re in a good mood today, you slept so well last night for Mommy.”

  I quickly stripped off her pajamas and soggy diaper and took her into the bathroom for her morning tubby. Pulling the handle and testing the water, I placed Layla into her bath seat before handing her a couple of her rubber ducks. Setting about getting her cleaned up, I took the baby shampoo and rubbed it into her hair. I couldn’t believe how thick and curly her hair was; from the moment she was born, she had a head full of hair.

  As soon as she was cleaned up I got her out of the bath and wrapped her in a fluffy towel. Back in her room, I dried her off and diapered her. I put on her little white onesie with the pink seven on it, along with her signature pink tutu and little socks that looked like toe shoes.

  Carrying her back into my bedroom, I sat her on the floor and went to grab my phone. Today was her seventh month birthday, and I, along with all the other proud mothers on my friends list, celebrated these milestones with a photo.

  “Layla, look at Mommy,” I called out. I doubt she understood what I was saying. The moment she looked up I smiled at her, she smiled her little toothy grin, and I snapped a shot.

  “Perfect.”

  I logged into my social networking page, said good morning from Layla and me, and posted her picture. Within seconds I had multiple responses from everyone, especially my sisters, who were loving her look.

  It wasn’t even a second before my phone started to ring, I knew exactly who it was.

  “Hi Alex.”

  “Hey, how’s my doodle bug doing this morning? She looks awfully cute, I can’t believe she’s seven months already.”

  “She’s good. We’re heading downstairs now for breakfast.”

  “Please tell me you’re making pancakes.”

  “Nope, on the breakfast menu today is a bottle and some mashed bananas and maybe even some peaches.”

  Sliding Layla into her high chair, I strapped her in and locked in the tray.

  “Well gross, I’m on my way over. I’ll pick up something on the way.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  Hanging up with Alex, I opened up the little video player on my phone and handed it to Layla. She watched as the little red monster danced across the screen, causing her to laugh and laugh.

  I had her bottle made and her bananas and peaches in a bowl before the first video ran through. I sat before her, bowl in hand. As soon as she saw me she pushed the phone away. Grabbing her bottle out of my hand, she started feeding herself. I waited until she was done before I spooned up some of the bananas. When she saw the spoon in my hand, she put the bottle to the side, and leaned forward, opening her mouth.

  “Somebody’s hungry,” I said with a laugh.

  She finished up all of her food with minimal mess. When she heard the front door open she started to laugh and squirm in her chair.

  “She’s coming,” I said, unclipping the tray the second Alex walked into the kitchen. I had barely gotten her unbuckled before Alex scooped her up.

  “Hello, my doodle bug, happy seven month birthday,” she said, placing a kiss on her cheek. “I brought you a cupcake.”

  “Alex, a cupcake, really?”

  “Why not? It’s not like she’ll have the whole thing. Besides, she’ll get a little of the icing. I plan on finishing this bad boy myself.” She winked.

  I watched as Alex held the cupcake to Layla’s face. She stuck her little fingers into the pink icing before putting them in her mouth. Layla made the cutest yucky face at the taste, although it didn’t stop her as she reached back in for another bite. I took a quick picture to have for myself.

  Alex walked off into my office with the baby while I finished cleaning up the kitchen. When I was done, I went to see what was going on with them. Alex was sitting at her desk with her laptop open and running. Layla was playing quietly in her pack and play.

  “Anything interesting?” I asked, sitting down at my desk. I was delighted to see a cup of orange juice and a breakfast sandwich waiting for me.

  “Mom said your dress is at the house, it looks beautiful. We’ll all meet up tomorrow at around two. Daniella won’t be going with us. I guess she and Jerry are taking a break. She’s offered to sit with Layla for the night.”

  “Well, that sucks, I thought we were going as a united front.”

  “Me too, but you know how Dani is. Whatever Dani wants, Dani gets. Besides, Brianna said that if Dani came, she’d probably get drunk and then make a fool of us.”

  “That’s good, I guess.” I wish I could have some excuse to get out of going, but I promised Mom and Dad I’d be there. I missed so many events before when I was pregnant and while Layla was a newborn. “Anything else?” I questioned, knowing that I had to have something going on.

  I’d hired Alex as my personal assistant part-time. I didn’t trust anyone else, especially when Layla was younger. I didn’t like the idea of strangers coming in and out of my house. Besides, she knew me and my likes and dislikes so it wasn’t hard for her to jump into the job feet first.

  “Yeah, you have emails from a couple of blogs asking if you’d want to participate in some giveaways. One asking for an interview, the questions are listed in this email to just send back if you’re interested, and a written request asking to participate at a book store opening downtown.”

  As I went through the requests with her, I agreed to everything. I answered all the questions and told her I’d love to go to the book store opening as long as it didn’t conflict with anything else for that night.

  Once we were done, I opened up my laptop, clicking on the word document to open it up. I started writing the next chapter of my book. I was so engrossed in the characters and the scene I didn’t notice that Alex had taken Layla out of the room until she came back later on to tell me it was lunch time.

  Lunch. I didn’t even touch my breakfast. Like most days when I was writing, I forgot about food and drinks. I grabbed up the uneaten food and warm cup of OJ and took them into the kitchen to drop them in the garbage.

 
; “I fed Layla some chicken and peas. I saw you were on a roll and didn’t want to disturb you. After she ate she was falling asleep in her high chair, so I gave her a bottle and put her down for a nap.”

  I walked over and hugged her. “Thank you. I worked out a huge scene and managed to get over six thousand words out. I didn’t mean to be so out of it.”

  “It’s cool, this is what you do. I’m just glad I get to help. I’ve got to get going, I have a few things to do at the office. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  We bid our goodbyes, and I went upstairs to check on Layla. Like Alex said, she was fast asleep, hugging her little bunny. Every time I looked at her, whether she was sleeping or awake, every single smile, every slobbery kiss was worth all of this.

  How she came to be wouldn’t be my ideal choice, if I could ever wish for anything, it would be for her to know her dad. He may not be excited about this, but at least she’d know. I wouldn’t ask him for anything. I could take care of her on my own.

  I remember shortly after I found out I was pregnant with her, morning sickness started. I don’t know why they referred to it as morning sickness because that “sickness” hit me all day long. It hit me so bad that the first couple of weeks I couldn’t keep anything down and I finally ended up in the emergency room.

  Shortly after that I picked up a spiral notebook and a pen and started to write. I had notebooks filled with stories and characters that just seemed to take over my life. When the doctor decided I needed to go on full time bed rest, my job wasn’t very caring and fired me on the spot.

  That’s when all heck broke loose, their firing of me was illegal. My dad being my dad, he pulled out all the stops and filed a lawsuit on my behalf for wrongful termination. They ended up settling out of court. I was able to use the money to live off of until after the baby was born.

  So I thought.