Mad About Moon (The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #5)
Melissa Foster
A Note to Readers
Jed Moon never believed he’d be someone others might look up to, but Josie Beckley admired him from the moment they met. Though they’d known each other for only one magical night many years ago, she’d given him a glimpse at what he was missing. Now she’s back in his life with a son in tow. She remembers the person he was, and he’s proud to show her the man he’s become. I hope you enjoy their love story as much as I have.
Each of Jed’s and Josie’s family members and friends have, or will also be getting, their own happily ever after. Several books about the Whiskeys and their extended family are already published for your enjoyment (TRU BLUE; TRULY, MADLY, WHISKEY; DRIVING WHISKEY WILD; WICKED WHISKEY LOVE; and RIVER OF LOVE). If this is your first introduction to the Whiskey family, each book is written to stand alone, so dive right in and get ready to fall in love.
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For more information about my fun, sexy romances, all of which can be read as standalone novels or as part of the larger series, visit my website:
www.MelissaFoster.com
If you prefer sweet romance, with no explicit scenes or graphic language, please try the Sweet with Heat series written under my pen name, Addison Cole. You’ll find many of the same great love stories with toned-down heat levels.
Happy reading!
~ Melissa
Chapter One
JOSIE FIDGETED WITH the pamphlet she’d read so many times it was already tattered and frayed. She’d never forget the moment her estranged older sister’s boyfriend had put it in her hands a few weeks ago and said, This is Sarah’s story. If you read it, I think you’ll see her life has not been what you imagined. She loves you, Josie, and I love her very much. When you’re ready, and we both hope someday you will be, we’d like to get to know you and your son better.
She looked across the room at Hail, her almost six-year-old son, playing with his toy trucks around the Christmas tree in the Parkvale Women’s Shelter. His shaggy light-brown bangs fell to the tip of his tiny nose, the sides and back curled at the ends just above his collar. It was Christmas Day. Two years and two months ago, Josie had buried Hail’s father, Brian, the man she had loved since she was thirteen years old and had married at eighteen. He’d died from a congenital heart defect they hadn’t known he’d had. He was chasing a dog off their property when his heart stopped. He’d died instantly, without warning, and that had been the beginning of the end of life as they’d known it.
She’d been so consumed with grief, she’d thought she’d never breathe again. But she was a mother, and not breathing hadn’t been an option. The pain of losing Brian had lessened over time, but she still had a hollow place inside her that she doubted would ever heal. She’d always hoped that when her older sister and brother had escaped their torturous lives with their abusive parents they’d found happiness. She’d thought watching her parents abuse them was the worst kind of pain imaginable, but losing her husband had brought a bone-deep ache that had taken nearly a year to ease. At the time she couldn’t imagine anything worse. But after reading Sarah’s story, which she’d appropriately titled From Homeless to Happy, she realized there was a different type of pain that could cut just as deep.
“Mama, watch! I’m just like Daddy driving the ’quipment. Vroom!” Hail scooted on his knees, pushing the toy bulldozer and backhoe she’d given him for Christmas through the pile of rocks Santa had brought for him. Her boy was a digger, a discoverer. He already had plenty of toy trucks and rocks, but they were the only things she could always count on bringing pure, uninhibited joy.
“Daddy would be proud of you, kiddo.” She didn’t have much money left from her last job, and she was thankful people had donated gifts to the shelter, although she’d felt funny accepting them. But when Hail had torn open the coloring books, crayons, and action figures, his excitement had soothed her embarrassment, even if he’d immediately turned back to his miniature construction site.
Hail was her little miracle. She’d been beyond terrified when she’d found out she was pregnant several weeks after her eighteenth birthday, but she’d never once regretted having Hail. He was hers and Brian’s whole world, and caring for him had given her a reason to keep going after Brian’s death. Her little boy had unknowingly helped her heal. Although lately she sometimes felt like she’d failed him, losing the only home he’d ever known, staying in less-than-appropriate places, and now living in a shelter with no idea where they’d go next. But she told herself this was temporary, and Hail had never known a life without love—that knowledge was the best salve of all.
Her friend Tracey glanced up from the book she was reading and said, “Do you want to go see Sarah?”
Tracey had come to the shelter after escaping an abusive relationship, and while there she’d met Sarah and Wayne “Bones” Whiskey, Sarah’s boyfriend, a physician who volunteered at the shelter. Sarah had come to the shelter with Bones one evening to try to help women who had fallen prey to abusive situations similar to what she’d endured. Sarah had invited Tracey to stop by tonight, to celebrate Christmas. She probably would have invited Josie, too, if Josie had given her the chance. But after losing the man she adored, her house, and being thrust into a frightening world Brian had always protected her from, Josie had been less than receptive to Sarah when she’d tracked her down a few months ago and reached out.