Broken Ties (The Broken Brother Series Book 2) Read online

  Sporto takes it and pulls himself up. “I’ve missed you. Shit, I really didn’t think I’d ever see you again. Fuck, I was so scared of seeing any of you again. I really thought I’d get laid out.”

  “I’ve seen you hit. I wouldn’t have taken the chance even if I was mad. But again, I’m not. I’ve been going crazy not knowing where everyone was and if they were okay. Shit, I was starting to get a complex I was being avoided on purpose…other than because of your reasons. I thought it was because of me.”

  “You are one of the goofiest men I’ve ever met, but you’ll always be my brother. I’m sorry. I’m just so sorry,” he says, starting to pace.

  “Forgiven, okay. Look at me, I’m good. I just want my boys back. Let’s go grab a water or coffee and catch up,” I say, turning and walking toward the mess hall.

  I look back to see him letting out a breath and start following me while still looking at his feet. One brother found, only a few more to go. I’m figuring I won’t get any information from him, though. He was ignoring all of us on purpose.

  We spend the next hour laughing and joking like old times. I make sure I get contact information this time around. He promises to answer his phone and emails as we part ways.

  Sporto’s deployment is almost up as well as his enlistment. He told me he’s getting out for good. Going to travel the states for a while before he figures out where he wants to settle down.

  At least this time, I know I’ll see him again.

  ♦♦♦

  It’s been another month. I haven’t received anything back from Alyse. I still have this weird feeling in my gut that I’m missing something. I guess if she were pregnant, she would have answered me by now. At least I would hope.

  ♦♦♦

  Six months and still no a response from Alyse. I’ve sent a few more basically lame messages. I’m trying not to sound too desperate. I’m about to give up. I guess she isn’t as interested in me as I am in her. I don’t know what I expected. Even with the chemistry seeming to be off the charts, maybe it was all just one sided.

  Chapter Four

  Alyse

  Every month that goes by I feel more comfortable with my decision. Willow successfully hired a full-time manager for the diner. I was able to hire another part-time server as well. Britany is still here, of course. Telling her about the baby wasn’t an easy conversation to have with a teenager. Some role model I turned out to be. I’m surprised her mother still allows her to work here.

  I spend most of my time doing the daily specials and prep work for the week. The extra time has been spent on trying to come up with ideas to drum up business. So far, I have none.

  I’m just happy that I’m not on my feet all day. You don’t realize how just a few pounds can make your ankles and feet swell to epic proportions. Not that I can see them anymore.

  Those “What to Expect” books have replaced my normal romance novels, but that hasn’t stopped me from feeling like I need sex all the time. It sucks that I’m alone and without a partner. I read where a women’s libido can skyrocket in the last trimester and that an orgasm can help move things along. I won’t have that luxury unless I do it on my own.

  Believe me, I have tried. But once I get into a position where I can even reach, I end up getting a cramp or the baby moves and I feel weird.

  I found out I’m having a boy and we had a little baby shower at the diner one day. All the little onesies and bibs were so cute and small and made me really start to freak out a little. It’s real and he’s going to be coming soon.

  I’m ready, though. I cleaned out one of the storage rooms in the apartment that I never got around to clearing out. Most of it was stuff that my grandparents had horded over the years. I was able to get a local shelter to come and grab most of it. Now the room has new hardwood floors with fluffy area rugs, a new coat of soft pale blue paint with fluffy white clouds, and stuffed animals tossed everywhere.

  My grandparents shipped me a new crib and changing table and sent me a box of some of my own things that I had used as a baby, including my favorite blanket that actually washed up pretty nicely.

  Going through that box was hard. I sat in the middle of the nursery with shaking hands and uneven breaths. I don’t know why it affected me so bad. Maybe it’s the fact that some of the items in that box reminded me that I was left in a box on my grandparent’s front porch so many years ago. A strung-out mother that felt traveling across the world was better than taking care of the daughter she just had. I was just lucky that she at least left me with family and not on the side of the road somewhere.

  Thinking about it makes me angry. I hold my hand against my stomach, feeling him move inside me, and could not fathom ever letting him go. I haven’t even met him yet, and I love him with my entire being.

  I walk into the office and log into the business website to update the specials for the week. I see a couple of email notifications so after completed the update, I open the email program to run through them in case there is anything that needs my attention.

  I hear the diner door open and hear my manager, Katherine, yell out, “Just me! Don’t get up!”

  I laugh knowing that she understands how difficult it is getting out of this office chair these days. She has a few kids herself and has been really considerate and helpful.

  Sticking her head in the door, she smiles and says, “Hey there. I was able to get those errands done, thank you. I stopped by the local farm market and put in an order for some fresh produce. Frankie will bring them by later this afternoon. Oh, and I don’t know if you realize it or not, but there were like over two hundred emails in your spam folder. Some dating back like eight months. I trashed the ones that were obvious spam, but there were a few that looked personal. I didn’t read them, well not all of them, just enough to realize they may be real. I printed them off for you earlier and put them by the register. Did you see them?”

  “Oh, um no, I didn’t. Personal you think?” I say, wondering who that could have been from. I slowly pull myself from the chair and start to walk towards the door.

  “Yeah, maybe? From a guy name Kade, I think?” she says, stepping aside to let me pass.

  “Kaden?” I practically yell out and wobble as quickly as I can to the register.

  “Yeah, maybe. Oh shit, they are personal aren’t they,” she says, following close behind. “Girl, slow down before you over exert yourself and go into labor or something.”

  I grab the manila folder and slap it on the counter. Leaning with both hands down on the top, I raise my head and blow out a puff of air. “Lord, let this be him.”

  Opening the folder slowly, I peak at the first piece of paper and see the email address is military. I quickly scan the first email and see it signed by Kaden. My heart is pounding out of my chest as I read the words. Oh no, he thinks I don’t feel the same. Shit, stupid spam settings. I’m going to have to make sure anything with a military extension is accepted in the future. As I flip to the last page, I physically feel like he’s given up on me. I can feel the tears streaming down my face, and I’m having problems catching my breath.

  “I have to email him back. I have to make sure he knows it’s not one sided. Oh my God, Kat.” I say, shifting and trying to get back to the office as quickly as I can.

  I about half way there when it happens. I feel the gush of fluid run down my legs and to my shoes. I jolt of pain hit me and I double over.

  “Oh shit. I got you,” I hear Katherine say as I feel a chair being placed under me. “Sit. You still have time and I need to make some calls and get this place closed up.”

  Kaden Charles Dawson came screaming into the world just a few hours later. When the nurses placed him into my arms, I felt him take a deep breath as he seemed to snuggle in. He falls immediately to sleep, and I fall even more in love.

  ♦♦♦

  I love being a mom. It has to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my whole life.

  It probably helps that K.C. is an angel.
I’m calling him by his initials on the rare chance I see Kaden again.

  Even when he fusses he’s calm. I’m quite certain he got that from his dad. Even only knowing him for a short time, Kaden gave me this sense of calm. He certainly is taking after him in size. His hands and feet are huge. He’s already grown out of the newborn size and it’s only been a couple of weeks.

  I look over at K.C. laying in the bassinet I have set up in the office. I hear a few bubbly coos that make me laugh as I’m slapping together some subs. I hear the bell jingle over the door and my heart skips for a minute. It’s almost exactly like the night I met Kaden.

  Glancing back, I call out my familiar “Welcome to Millie’s” to see a man walk up to the counter that isn’t Kaden. I shake off the disappointment and put on a smile to ask him what I can get for him.

  “Those subs you are making look pretty damn good. Are they for anyone special?” he asks with a sweet smile.

  “No sir, just making up a few for tomorrow. There are a few construction guys that rush in and grab a few for their lunch in the morning. Anything special you want on them?”

  “Nope, just make them the way you like to make them. I’m putting my complete trust in you. I’ll just take a full one for the road. I needed to fill up with gas for the trip and this little place caught my eye. It reminds me of the old one stop shops we used to have in Ohio. Even better though since you have a few tables,” he says, looking over at them.

  I finish stacking on the different meats and cheeses, add a few tomatoes and strips of lettuce, and drizzle on my secret oil dressing.

  “Name’s Rigs. Are you Millie?” he says, reaching back to pull out his wallet.

  “No, that’s my grandmother. I’m Alyse. Is Rigs your real name?” I ask, thinking that it’s a little strange.

  “Nah, nickname I got in the military. I could fix just about anything. I’m actually in town visiting one of my Air Force brothers. His nickname is Beast and just as fitting. The man is huge and doesn’t seem approachable, but he’s actually a big softy,” he says, chuckling.

  “Are nicknames something common in the military?” I ask, thinking about the email address that Kaden uses.

  “In some branches they are common. Some just use last names or rank nicknames, but we were really close bunch. It was just natural for us. We had some funny ass nicknames, too. Our commanding officer’s name was Jonathan Holmes.” He pauses and raises an eyebrow. When I just cock my head in question, he finishes, “We called him Porn Star.” Another pause.

  “Wait…oh my God,” I say as I break out laughing. “That’s hilarious. Was he actually okay with it? I mean it’s funny but still.”

  “Yeah, he owned it proudly. He used to blast ‘Porn Star Dancing’ all the time and pretend to work the poles in the tents.” He pauses again with a soft smile and I can sense he’s reminiscing. There’s a slight sadness to his smile.

  “Are you okay?” I ask hesitantly.

  “Yeah, I am actually. Just some mixed emotions on that one. You see the friend, Beast, that I’m visiting… it’s a long story really.” He shrugs his shoulders and stops, leaving me curious to the story more than ever.

  “Oh no, you can’t leave a girl hanging. I’m a new mom with no social life and the only interaction I have is with customers. You need to tell me,” I almost beg.

  He proceeds to tell me about Jon and Emma, glossing over the details of how he was killed. Then tells me the most amazing story about how fate seemed to play a role in bringing Emma and Beast together. It’s the most incredible story I’ve ever heard. I think there’s more, but little K.C. fusses a little and draws my attention away.

  I quickly wash my hands and go over to pick him up. As soon as he’s against my shoulder, he quickly goes back to sleep. Rigs is now standing at the register and smiles when I walk back over.

  “Well, isn’t he a handsome fella. Big boy, too. How old?” Rigs asks.

  “Almost three weeks,” I say, smiling as I ring up the one large sub Rigs is holding.

  “Holy shit, sorry about the language, but he’s huge. How big is his dad?” Rigs exclaims.

  “Oh um, yeah. Pretty big guy. He’s military as well and currently deployed.” I try to play it off like we are together and it wasn’t a one-time thing. Hell, I don’t even know his last name.

  “Really? Where is he stationed out of? There’s not any bases too close around here,” he asks.

  Not knowing how to respond and not really good at lying, I shrug my shoulders and tuck my head. “I honestly don’t know. I don’t know why I’m even opening up to you about this. Let’s just say he was passing through and left behind his first name and this little bugger. He sent a couple emails to the store, but I actually just found them. The day he was born actually.”

  “Wow, well motherhood looks good on you, and I’ve never seen a more content newborn. I should be going. Thanks for the sub, and I’ll be sure to stop in and hit you up for another one when I’m back in town,” he says.

  “Please do. I enjoyed meeting you, Rigs. Until next time,” I say as K.C. lets out a whimper and a yawn. “It’s time for a feeding. Drive safe.”

  “Nice meeting you too, Alyse. Remember, sometimes fate happens and it can be a powerful thing.” He ends with a smile and a wave as he heads out of the door.

  With those parting words, I smile. I hold hope that fate plays its cards. So far, I can’t imagine it being anything but fate.

  Chapter Five

  Kaden

  Iwake from a dream with a start. The last thing I remember is a soft set of small hazel eyes looking up at me. Weird. I lay back in my bunk and try to remember the rest of the dream, but I can’t.

  I’m halfway through this deployment and time seems to be creeping along. I gave up on emailing Alyse. There’s only so much my ego can take. I don’t know what I was expecting.

  We are heading out tonight for a supply drop. I hate these ones. They bring back bad memories. I’m usually a big ass dick to everyone during the trip, too. I think they all understand, though, since they know the story.

  I’m trying not to tense up as I see our assigned sniper on the wing of the plane scanning the horizon. I keep looking over my shoulder as I quickly do my run through of mechanical checks. At least this time there isn’t anything wrong.

  I hear what I think is a serious of pops and I panic. I immediately drop to my stomach and wrap my arms over my head.

  “False alarm! False alarm! All clear!”

  I can’t move. I feel like my chest is going to explode. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I want to serve, but I have to get over this fear or I’m going to be more of a liability than an asset.

  I slowly regain my composure and lift myself to my feet. Looking around, everyone is back to work like nothing happened. I grab my clipboard that was thrown in haste. I can’t find my pen, but I have a few in my front pocket. I quickly run through the rest of the checks and head into the plane to the troop compartment. We are transporting back fifty airmen so that leaves a few open seats.

  I drop my paperwork in the bin and tuck myself in the very last seat. Turning my body sideways, I squeeze my forehead against my knees and concentrate on my breathing.

  “Spanks, are we clear?” I hear my commanding officer yell as he comes down the aisle.

  “Yes, sir. All clear,” I yell back with a catch to my voice.

  I look up as he makes it to the back and stands in front of me. “You good?”

  “I’ll be fine. Think I need to talk to someone when we get back, though,” I say with a sigh.

  “You do that. I’ll make sure you are not on the next run,” he responds.

  “No sir, I’ll be fine. This one was just a little too familiar,” I say.

  “Talk to someone immediately. I can’t be second guessing any of my men. I won’t put anyone in danger,” he says in a stern voice.

  “Sir, I would never put anyone in danger. Never.”

  I look him straight in t
he eye to try to convey how serious I am. I would never put anyone in danger. I know I need to talk to someone, though. He simply nods his head and walks back up the aisle.

  ♦♦♦

  I couldn’t get an immediate appointment to see the assigned therapist, so I went to the chapel. Father Robert was in his chambers sipping on a glass of wine. I’m not sure how they get away with it, but maybe it’s communion wine. It’s not like we have may opportunities to do communion, so I’m sure there’s a stock pile of it somewhere.

  I’m not a religious man. I’ve studied many different religions over the years. There’s a lot of similarities and a lot of differences. I compare it to the little game they made us play as kids where you sit around in a circle and pass along a sentence. By the time it makes it to the end, it’s totally different than how it started. There’s a lot left to a man’s interpretation to things. You see it in the stories that are handed down from generation to generation. Each storyteller adding their own bit of twists and turns to add an effect. So, I’m not one to jump into one and only organized religion. I believe in God. I believe there is a higher power. I just don’t believe that man got everything exactly right with the stories.