Kele Moon - Crossing the line

“You can dry that one out and fertilize the lawn. Both of you are gonna be eating your words,” Jules said as she sat down next to Tino and found another present. She handed it to Freddy, who was still mad. “I cannot wait for these babies to be born.”

Tabitha rubbed at her back. “You and me both.”

“That ain’t even a lie,” Melody agreed as she shifted next to Clay, trying to curl into him despite her large stomach. “I’m ’bout tired of being pregnant.”

“I think we ought to place betting odds on which of you goes into labor first,” Nova suggested as he opened a gift Tabitha handed him. “Tabitha’s due sooner, but she’s having a girl. That boy of Clay’s has gotta be nine pounds at least. I think Melody’s gonna go first.”

Wyatt pushed his boot against the back of Nova’s head and grinned. “No gambling in my town, boy.”

Nova swiped at his hair. “Wyatt, you touch my hair again—”

Wyatt tapped his foot against Nova’s head again—just because.

Nova shoved at Wyatt’s foot in annoyance and then pulled the lid off the box and looked down at in surprise. He turned to Tabitha, shock showing on his tan face, when so little in life surprised him.

Tabitha smiled. “I’m sorry it’s not a better copy of it, but the fella who negotiates my contracts hasn’t read it yet.”

“What is it?” Tino looked over Nova’s shoulder to see. “A stack of paper. Yeah, that’s something he’d probably like.”

“Shut up, Tino.” Nova picked up the large stack of bound white pages. “You started a new series?”

“I did.” Tabitha nodded. “Good thing too. Everyone loved Nico so much in the final Sapphire County book, it was lucky I’d already started writing his series.”

“Tabitha,” Nova whispered as he looked at the title page.

Wyatt had seen it. He knew what Nova was reading.

Untamed Hearts, A Heroes of New York City Novel by T.C. Rennoc

Nova turned around and looked at her with uncertainty that was unusual for him. “But my story isn’t for children, even in fiction.”

“No, it isn’t,” Tabitha agreed. “This one is strictly for teenagers. It’s darker and more violent than the others, but I think you’ll like it. Dark heroes are amazing too. I’ve seen them do great things. I believe in them every bit as much as I believed in the first set of heroes.”

“Am I in there?” Tino asked as he looked over Nova’s shoulder again, now obviously interested. “Does that mean someone sexy and badass has to play me in a movie?”

Tabitha gave Tino an indulgent smile. “You’re in there. Very much so.”

“Thank you.” Nova held the book for a moment, and no one said anything, because the emotion was suddenly palpable. Even the babies stopped ripping at wrapping paper as if sensing the change in their uncle. “This means something.”

“Is it a good memory?” Tabitha asked.

Nova turned around and smiled at her, his dark eyes glassy. “Yes, it is.”

“I’m so glad.” Tabitha nodded as she wiped at her cheeks. “Dark heroes deserve happy endings too.”