Embattled Ever After (Lost and Found Series Book 5) Read online

  Embattled Ever After

  By

  J.M. Madden

  Copyright © 2016 J.M. Madden

  Kindle Edition

  Cover by Viola Estrella

  Editing by MegEdits

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Do not take part in piracy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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

  Any logistical, technical, procedural or medical mistake in this book is truly my own.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgements

  Other Books by J.M. Madden

  About Embattled Ever After

  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

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Chaos

  Other Books by J.M. Madden

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  READERS

  I can’t even begin to guess at the THOUSANDS of times I’ve been asked, “When is Duncan’s book coming?”

  Emails, PMs, in person, through my PO Box… Every time I released a different book, people were like ‘Ok, that was great. Now where’s Duncan?’

  That’s a lot of pressure to put on an author!

  The point of this is to say to my readers THANK YOU! For always keeping me motivated and letting me know how desperately you’ve wanted to read Duncan’s book. It has kept me at the computer for HOURS, DAYS, pushing to get him done. It took a lot of shaping and guiding, but I think he’s finally ready.

  I know I’m not going to appease everyone, but I hope you enjoy Duncan and Alex’s love story!

  To my hubby, my own personal love story. I love you more than life itself. Thank you for putting up with your insane wife!

  To Robyn and Donna, you guys are always right. Lol! Whether I want to hear it or not, I need to hear it. You never let me down in that!

  To my early readers, you are the bomb! Mayas, Sandie, big smooches!

  Lost And Found Discussion Group, thank you for being patient, motivating, and a joy for me to visit every day!

  If you would like to read about the ‘combat modified’ veterans of the Lost and Found Investigative Service, click on the covers below to learn more:

  If you’d like to connect with me on social media and keep updated on my releases, try these links:

  Newsletter

  Website

  Facebook

  Lost And Found Discussion Group

  Twitter

  And of course you can always email me at [email protected]

  Duncan Wilde has avoided long-term relationships very well since his fiancée left him wounded in the hospital years ago. That one harsh lesson—that he needed to guard his heart—has stuck with him for years. Besides, he’s a beat up old Marine well past his time for love. The fiery young doctor from Kansas seems to think otherwise, though. She’d treated one of his men months ago and they had a bit of a connection. Too bad she’s so damn young.

  Alex Hartfield grew up as a military brat, but she sees something in Duncan that makes her think of permanence and starting a family. She wants someone to come home to every night and love, and he’s the first man that makes her guarded heart race with hope and excitement. Now… to convince him that opening up to love doesn’t mean taking on responsibility for the other person’s life.

  Chapter One

  Alex felt like she was somebody important or something. A tall handsome guy with dark hair, wraparound sunglasses and a service dog at his side met her at the airport taxi area, white cardboard sign in his hands. When she stopped in front of him he reached out to shake her hand. “Alex Hartfield?”

  “Yes,” she nodded.

  “Flynn. I’m your ride. Is this your only bag?”

  “Yes.”

  He hefted the full-sized suitcase into the back of a truck nearby as if it weighed nothing, and she knew for a fact if she hadn’t flown first-class it would have been over the weight limit. The airlines were a little more lenient when you spent more money with them.

  He moved to the passenger side of the vehicle and held the door open for her. Alex moved forward but yelped as the service dog—looked like a shepherd mix—jumped into the seat before she could.

  “Maya,” the man growled.

  The dog gave him a wounded look before hopping over the seat and into the second row of seats.

  “Sorry about that,” he murmured.

  Alex could have laughed, but she was afraid if she did it would sound slightly maniacal. Instead she climbed into the seat and allowed him to shut the door behind her. Then she fastened the seatbelt across herself.

  She was so off balance in this situation and it was not a feeling she was used to. Normally, she was the one calling the shots—directing nurses, ordering tests, guiding patients. It was what she was comfortable doing. It was what she had been raised to do, trained to do. But trekking across the country to tempt a man into a relationship was definitely something she’d never done before.

  This…adventure, yeah, that was a good word, was very different.

  Flynn pulled the truck out into the traffic streaming toward Denver. It was the day before Christmas, and people were out in droves, trying to pick up last-minute gifts. Alex could see the skyline in the distance, but it was a little hazed by snow flurries.

  “Was your flight okay?”

  Alex glanced at him. “It was. There was a little turbulence but not too bad. The crowds were a little crazy though.”

  The man nodded but didn’t say anything else. To Alex it seemed as if he didn’t like making small talk, but was trying for her sake. She could at least reciprocate.

  “So, do you work for the Lost and Found company?”

  Flynn nodded without looking from the road. “Yeah. Been there a couple years now.”

  “And, can you tell me about your dog?”

  Flynn glanced up in the rearview mirror to look at the animal. Even through the dark glasses Alex could tell his expression softened. “Maya kind of adopted me earlier this year, when I rescued her from dying.”

  Alex glanced back at the dog, intrigued. “Really?”

  As if she knew they were talking about her, Maya stood up and popped her head between the front seats.

  Flynn reached a hand up to the dog’s neck, ruffling the hair. “If you look you
can see where she had a cable embedded in her neck because of a careless owner. I took her to the vet but she escaped and kind of moved herself in.”

  She chuckled, liking the man more now that she could see he had a soft spot for the dog. “Sounds like she needed a home.”

  “Yeah, and Willow, my girlfriend, uh, my wife, refused to take her back.”

  She glanced at the dark band on his ring finger. “She was your girlfriend then?”

  “Yeah, we just got married.” With a proud grin he ran his thumb over the band, like he was still getting used to the fit.

  That was sweet. He had that dazed look of a guy that couldn’t believe that the woman of his dreams had accepted him.

  “Sounds like she couldn’t take her back if Maya adopted you.”

  Reaching up she scratched under the dog’s chin. “And do you mind if I ask what the service vest is for?”

  Flynn glanced at her, his eyes weighing her even though she couldn’t see them.

  “She’s going through training right now to be my PTSD service dog.”

  His hands tightened on the steering wheel as if she were going to scoff at the thought, but she’d dealt with enough patients to know how to calm their fears. “Ah, very smart. She seems to be doing a good job. I couldn’t tell you were affected at all at the airport.”

  Some tension eased in the cab of the truck. “Well, if I’d had had to go into the terminal to find you, it probably would have been a different story. It was best that we stayed outside.”

  Alex appreciated a person that understood his or her own limits. Too many times she saw people who thought they were still as young as they used to be, or as strong as they used to be and hadn’t modified their behavior according to their age or medical conditions. Then they paid the price for their misjudgment.

  As they wound around the loop onto the interstate the afternoon sun glinted off the skyline. “What a beautiful city.”

  “Yeah, it’s not too bad,” Flynn agreed. “There’s plenty to do here if you’re a tourist. And it’s got several cool shopping districts if you’re into that.”

  Alex shrugged. She could shop as well as any girl if she needed to, but there were usually other things she wanted to do. “I prefer to see things, experience things.”

  “Then you can check out any of the gold mining towns not too far away. There’s skiing for every skill level, mountain biking, there are even some zip line tours popping up here and there. Horseback riding. Trail climbing. You name it and it’s around here probably. Not sure how long you’ll be here but you should take a trip into the mountains and explore.”

  “I’m not sure how long I’m going to be here either,” she admitted. It depended upon how well everything went tonight, didn’t it?

  She looked at the jam-packed interstate. It was hard to believe the year was almost over. Christmas was tomorrow. Then another week and it would be a new year.

  She leaned her head against her hand as they sped along. It was only about thirty degrees outside, but the way the sun was shining, you would think it felt warmer. Her monster suitcase was packed with plenty of sweaters and warm leggings. Alex had grown up in mostly tropical climates so the winters in Kansas City and Colorado definitely took some getting used to.

  Flynn flicked his turn signal on and exited the ramp on the northeast side of the city, then drove through a developed suburban area populated with strip malls. They pulled up in front of a restaurant or bar in a fairly trendy area. Maybe it was both. Flynn parked the truck and turned off the ignition. “I’ll bring your suitcase in if you can get your carryon.”

  Alex slid down from the cab and looked down at the snow on the ground. Maybe she should change her shoes. Stepping carefully, she crossed to the rustic wood front door of the Frog Dog. Christmas lights outlined everything. A large sign warned the public ‘Closed For Christmas. See you next week!’

  It was warm inside, and as soon as she entered, people rushed toward her. One petite young woman with curly brown hair stepped forward. “You must be Alex. Oh, my gosh, you’re gorgeous! You’re so perfect. I’m Shannon.”

  Alex grinned at the woman, already feeling a kinship with her. They’d spoken on the phone several times and now that she had connected the voice with the face, their connection seemed so natural and she returned the hug happily. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you as well. I can’t believe I finally made it.”

  She didn’t mean the plane ride. She meant the situation itself.

  Shannon’s kind expression turned serious. “Yes, I know. Let me introduce you around. Duncan won’t be here for at least an hour, but if I know him, he’ll be even later. That man is a true workaholic.”

  Shannon turned to a slender blond-haired woman. “This is Lora. Her daughter Mercy is over there in the corner booth with her coloring book. Chad,” she called.

  A tall man with a genial smile and a cowboy hat on turned from the bar and walked over. He wrapped his arm around Lora’s shoulders, his bright blue eyes shining.

  “This is Chad Lowell. He’s one of the partners and I think you’ve spoken to him on the phone a time or two. John is around here somewhere.” She glanced around but didn’t see her boyfriend. Alex had heard enough about the man she could probably pick him out of a crowd, but there weren’t that many people in the bar.

  Then a scowling man in a wheelchair rolled out from a dark hallway. His lap was laden with several cases of beer, but he balanced them perfectly as he rolled to the entrance to the bar. There was some grumbling and a giant of a man stood from behind the bar. He must have been stocking down low because she hadn’t seen him. The guy was huge.

  “John, Zeke, come over here.”

  The two men looked at the group at the door, then made their way over. “Alex,” Shannon continued, “this is John Palmer, second partner of the company, and my boyfriend.”

  Alex reached out and shook his hand, impressed with the man’s almost palpable personality. Yes, he was in a wheelchair, but he had so much spirit it was almost hard to look at him.

  His dark eyes narrowed on her as he sat back in his chair. “So, you’re the doc from Kansas City, huh? Shannon’s been shittin’ kittens to get you out here.”

  Shannon gasped and smacked him on the shoulder. “John!”

  Alex laughed, enjoying the camaraderie she could feel between all these people, and she knew that she had just been offered the chance to be part of them. “No kitten shitting on my behalf, please, Shannon.”

  They all laughed and she felt like she had gained a toehold in the mountain. The big man at John’s shoulder stuck his hand out. “Zeke. My g-g-girlfriend Ember and I r-run this place right now. Welcome to D-d-denver.”

  Alex looked up at the big man and it took every bit of her professional experience not to flinch at the man’s massive facial scarring. Damn. This guy had been through a lot in his lifetime. “Thank you very much, Zeke. And thank you for having the party. Not sure how it will go over but we’ll see, huh?”

  He nodded and turned as the swinging door to the kitchen opened at the far end of the bar. A dark-haired woman walked out carrying a tray of snacks and set them on a table in the middle of the room. She smiled when she saw the group and walked over to tuck herself beneath the giant’s arm. “And this is Ember. She and h-h-her dad own the F-f-frog Dog.”

  Ember skipped the handshake altogether and leaned in for a quick hug. “Welcome, welcome. Can I get you something to eat or drink after your trip?”

  Alex shook her head, but she found herself with a bottle of water in her hand and a plate of appetizers at her elbow as they settled her to a table. The women all gathered around as the men returned to doing whatever they’d been doing before she arrived. Flynn rolled her suitcase down the hallway to the left.

  “Flynn,” Shannon called. “When will Willow be here?”

  “Any time,” he called back. “I’ll send her a text. She might have had an emergency come in late.”

  The women very subtly peppered
Alex with questions about her background. The military brat status gained her huge points and she told them about the extensive traveling she’d done in her childhood.

  Another dark-haired woman entered the bar, stomping her boots free of snow. She pulled the toboggan off her head and shrugged out of her big winter coat. Before she could even say hello, though, Flynn had materialized out of nowhere and dragged her into his arms for a welcome kiss. Willow sagged into him, obviously very happy to be there. One of Flynn’s hands drifted down to her rounded belly and Alex realized the woman was about halfway through a pregnancy, if not more.

  The women at the table looked at the couple, smiling. Shannon leaned over conspiratorially. “Flynn was pretty stubborn but we knew he had someone in his life. He didn’t tell us about her for a while.”

  Alex smiled, loving that all of these people seemed supportive of one another. The dog, Maya, wandered around the bar accepting attention. The Christmas lights glittered gaily and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. She could feel her tension easing as they drifted through the conversation.

  They talked about everything under the sun for an hour and a half before somebody hissed that Duncan was on his way. Alex’s stomach bottomed out and she didn’t know if she wanted to run or throw up. Maybe both. Chad crooked his finger at her and guided her back to the office. “I hope you don’t mind waiting just a bit. We want to get the Santa bit over and all that. There are some big presents being exchanged tonight, and you’re one of them.”

  Alex lifted a brow and eyed the puppy in the crate in the corner. The dog snored lightly. “Okay…”

  Settling into the office chair behind the desk she pulled her phone from her purse and started checking email, trying to find something mundane to do to ease her nerves. She hadn’t been this shaky since she’d gone in for her medical boards to complete her residency.

  The tension and the travel of the day settled onto her shoulders and her eyelids began to droop. She didn’t know when she fell asleep, only that it seemed like seconds later and Chad was gently shaking her awake. “I’m taking Shannon’s big present out now, then it’ll be your turn. Are you okay?”