“You’re pregnant?” Paul questions, finally catching up, making us both laugh. “I thought maybe you’d just gained some weight.”
Clara rolls her eyes. “Men,” she huffs.
We chat some more about my pregnancy and also remember Neena. Then they tell me Marcus and Mei-ling got married and have two kids. One boy named John after their former pilot and friend, Sap, and a little girl named Neena. Paul and Clara can’t stop grinning from ear to ear. It’s obvious they are enjoying their roles of aunt and uncle. I would have loved to have seen Marcus in action with his kids. He’s a pretty cool guy. And comical. Unless you’re on the receiving end of his jokes. He and Mei-ling are in China right now visiting Mei-ling’s family. Clara quickly whips out her phone and shows me a family selfie. They look incredibly happy.
When it’s time for me to go, they both hug me tightly and tell me as soon as the baby is born and I’m ready, to come for a jump.
As I drive away, my heart content, I rub my belly and whisper, “I have a feeling you’ll be my most epic adventure, too, little one.”
Don’t hate me.
Please.
We can never know true compassion without tragedy.
Whether you love or hate this book, I hope you’ll do two things. First, tell your loved ones what they mean to you. Squeeze them tightly and make sure they know how you feel about them. Secondly, go on an adventure. It doesn’t have to be jumping out of planes or hiking through a jungle. Adventures can be found everywhere. Maybe you’ve been wanting to go back to school. Maybe you’ve been dreaming of moving somewhere different. Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mother that’s been dreaming of writing a book.
Whatever it is, do it.
Don’t wait.
Live big.
Live bold.
And remember . . .
Life’s too short to be subtle.
Love,
B N Toler
Thank you to the bloggers. Thank you for reading and sharing my work. I am truly grateful for the time and effort.
Thank you to my readers. I am grateful for all of you. Your reviews, messages, and love make this job the absolute best!
Thanks to Kari with Cover to Cover Designs. This cover is amazing.
Thank you to Marilyn with Eagle Eye Reads Editing. It’ll never be easy with me. I think you’ve figured that out by now. Sorry. But thank you for accepting my manuscripts anyway. I am truly grateful for all your hard work with Desperately Seeking Epic.
Thanks to Tami with Integrity Formatting for being the best formatter from Down Under . . . or over . . . wait, what? Seriously though, you are so wonderful.
Thank you to the Legion of Moist. I. LOVE. YOU. ALL. Thanks for your support and for listening to me whine. You ladies make me . . .
To Dreama-Boo. What can I say? You have been my biggest cheerleader for a long time. You are the friend that is always there, that always encourages me in my career, and that never gives up on me. To say I love you wouldn’t even begin to touch on how I feel about you. Thank you for always having my back, for always waiting out my introversion when I can’t seem to make myself come out and play, and for ALWAYS making me laugh. I am truly grateful for our friendship.
To Amy Jo, Brett, and Leah. Thanks for loving and supporting me. And thank you for always being the family I can count on. I love you all tremendously.
To my father. Dad. It’s been one of the hardest years of my life. We haven’t always been close. In fact, we haven’t ever been close. But this year, you’ve saved me on so many levels. Thank you for that. I know you won’t read this book, because, well, there’s sex in this book, and that’d be weird, but just like it was for Paul and Neena, it’s never too late. I love you.
To J. Thank you for all of your support and love. I’m so grateful for everything you do for me. Thank you for reading DSE and listening to me talk about it all the time. Thank you for sticking around even when I constantly get that far-off look in my eyes where I’m existing in another world amongst fictional characters. I know it’s not easy. Whatever happens, thank you for trying so hard to make me happy. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I love you.
B N Toler lives in Virginia with her three rowdy children. She enjoys warm weather, beaches, reading, and music.
WEB ~ www.bntoler.com
EMAIL ~ bntoler@bntoler.com
FACEBOOK ~ https://www.facebook.com/pages/B-N-Toler-Author/279007692235640
TWITTER ~ @BNTOLER
GOODREADS ~ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7150768.B_N_Toler
The Healer Series
Healer
Hybrid
Savage
The Holly Springs Series
The Suit
The Anchor
Stand Alones
Wrecking Ball
Where One Goes
Taking Connor
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
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
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Epilogue
Dearest Readers
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Connect Online
Other Books by B.N. Toler