Fight Like You've Never Lost (Summer Lake #14) - S.J. McCoy Page 0,101
whoever you wanted to see me as.”
“Yeah. Well, I’m telling you now. I want to see you as my wife, my best friend, the love of my life.”
“Aww.” She cupped his face between her hands and kissed him. “See, you are a romantic, really.”
He chuckled. “Nah. I’m just building up to the next part.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“That I don’t want to see you as Leanne Miller anymore.”
She didn’t get it. “What do you mean?”
He touched the ring. “That I’m hoping that might make you Leanne Brady.”
“Oh!” She hadn’t even considered that. “I, err, I don’t know …”
She met his gaze and he laughed. “It’s important to me, Lee. It makes us family. I want to be the family that you didn’t have.”
She was still trying to figure out how she felt.
He held his fists up like a boxer. “I’m prepared to fight for it.”
She laughed. “Don’t tempt me. You know you’d lose. And you don’t like losing.”
“When it comes to you—to us—I’ve told you; I’m prepared to fight like we’ve never lost.”
She touched his cheek. “You don’t need to fight me over this one. I’d love to be Leanne Brady.”
“You would?” His smile told her how important it was to him.
“I would.”
He closed his arms around her and held her close to his chest as he kissed her. When they finally came up for air, he brushed his lips over hers. “I love you, Lee.”
“I love you, Ryan.” She got to her feet and pulled him up with her. “I know you didn’t feel the need to recreate the moment exactly, but …” She put her hands on the back of the sofa and pressed her ass back against him. “Maybe we could reverse the order of the way we did things back then and celebrate this way?”
His hands closed around her breasts and he nibbled her ear. “I thought you’d never ask.”
She laughed. “You know me better than that.”
As he covered her body with his, she closed her eyes and let him carry her away. He was inside her body again, and more importantly he was back in her heart and her life. And this time, no matter what life might throw at them, she was prepared to fight to keep him;
;
~ ~ ~
I hope you enjoyed Leanne and Ryan’s story. We’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the future. The team Dan’s putting together is angling for a whole new series!
But first, we’re going back to visit the Hamiltons for Christmas. If you’ve read the series, you might remember Grady who works for Molly.
He’s finally ready for his story to be told. He’s just taken guardianship of his little niece, Ava, and although you wouldn’t expect it of him if you know him, he’s doing a great job of becoming a single dad.
Although, the single part is about to change when he and Ava both fall for wine country heiress, Hannah, in Milkshakes and Mistletoe. You can check this page on my website for more details.
A Note from SJ
I hope you enjoyed Leanne and Ryan’s story. Please let your friends know about the books if you feel they would enjoy them as well. It would be wonderful if you would leave me a review, I'd very much appreciate it.
Check out the “Also By” page to see if any of my other series appeal to you – I have a couple of freebie series starters, so you can take them for a test drive. You’ll find a list of all my books – complete with reading order and Freebies here.
If you’d like to keep in touch, there are a few options to keep up with me and my imaginary friends:
The best way is to Sign up for my Newsletter. Don't worry, I won't bombard you! I'll let you know about upcoming releases, share a sneak peek or two and keep you in the loop for a couple of fun giveaways I have coming up :0)
You can join my readers group to chat about the books on Facebook or just browse and like my Facebook Page.
I occasionally attempt to say something in 140 characters or less(!) on Twitter.
And I’m always in the process of updating my website at www.SJMcCoy.com with new book updates and even some videos. Plus, you’ll find the latest news on new releases and giveaways on my blog.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’m better at that! :0)
I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then, take care, and thanks for your support—you are the reason I write!
Love,
SJ
PS – Project Semicolon
You may have noticed that the final sentence of the story closed with a semicolon. It isn’t a typo. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love, and inspire. It’s a movement I support with all my heart.
"A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you." - Project Semicolon
This author started writing after her son was killed in a car crash. At the time, I wanted my own story to be over. Instead, I chose to honour a promise to my son to write my ‘silly stories’ someday. I chose to escape into my fictional world. I know for many who struggle with depression, suicide can appear to be the only escape. The semicolon has become a symbol of support, and hopefully a reminder – Your story isn’t over yet
;
Also by SJ McCoy
Summer Lake Seasons
Angel and Luke in Take These Broken Wings
Zack and Maria in Too Much Love to Hide
Logan and Roxy in Sunshine Over Snow
Ivan and Abbie in Chase the Blues Away
Colt and Cassie in Forever Takes a While
Austin and Amber in Tell the Stars to Shine
Summer Lake Silver
This series features couples in their fifties and older. Just because a few decades—or more—have skipped by since you were in your twenties it doesn’t mean you can’t find love, does it? Summer Lake Silver stories find happily-ever-afters for those who remember being thirty-something—vaguely.
Marianne and Clay in Like Some Old Country Song
Seymour and Chris in A Dream Too Far
Ted and Audrey in A Little Rain Must Fall
Diego and Izzy in Where the Rainbow Ends
Manny and Nina in Silhouettes Shadows and Sunsets
Summer Lake Series
Emma and Jack in Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt (FREE)
Holly and Pete in Work Like You Don't Need the Money
Missy and Dan in Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Smoke and Laura in Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded
Michael and Megan in Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried
Kenzie and Chase in Sing Like Nobody’s Listening
Gabe and Renée in Smile Like You Mean It
Missy and Dan’s wedding in The Wedding Dance
Ben's backstory in Chasing Tomorrow
April and Eddie in Dream Like Nothing’s Impossible
Nate and Lily in Ride Like You’ve Never Fallen
Ben’s Story in Live Like There’s No Tomorrow
Smoke and Laura’s wedding in The Wedding Flight
Leanne and Ryan in Fight Like You’ve Never Lost
Remington Ranch Series
Mason
Shane
Carter
Beau
Four Weddings and a Vendetta
A Chance and a Hope Series
Chance Encounter
Finding Hope
Give Hope a Chance
The Davenports
Oscar
TJ
Reid
The Hamiltons
Cameron and Piper in Red Wine and Roses
Chelsea and Grant in Champagne and Daisies
Mary Ellen and Antonio in Marsala and Magnolias
Marcos and Molly in Prosecco and Peonies
Coming Next
Grady and Hannah in Milkshakes and Mistletoe
Love in Nashville
Autumn and Matt in Bring on the Night