Reformed Hero
By Teona Bell
4/5
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About this ebook
Deandra Kelley was on the way to a cute little house in small town Texas. At four months pregnant and married to a great man, who loved and spoiled her, she had a great life. Then tragedy struck. Two cars hit her husband's car and killed him on impact.
Deandra is confused, hurt, and scared. Strong, gentle hands lift her from the wreckage, and compassionate blue eyes look down into hers. Owen Sanger holds her in his arms and on his lap until the ambulance arrives.
In an instant, Owen is her hero and the lifeline that keeps Deandra sane. While Deandra just wants to heal after her loss, she can't deny the attraction she feels for Owen. Even if she's just feeling lonely and weak, she wants to keep him close. Too bad Owen's ex is ready to burst Deandra's bubble and let her know the ugly truth about Owen's past.
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Book preview
Reformed Hero - Teona Bell
Chapter 1
Deandra rocked her shoulders and snapped her fingers. She laughed when Malik tried to copy her. He dipped his head to the side and rotated his shoulders, and she smacked his arm as she cracked up. You better stop, boy, before you hurt yourself. I can’t believe how terrible you are at dancing.
He scowled and curled his thick lips up. We’re in a car, and I’m driving. You can’t expect me to do my regular moves.
I’ve seen your regular moves. They aren’t that special. Didn’t anyone ever tell you you’re black?
Haha, funny, Deandra.
She shrugged. Just saying.
He kept one hand on the steering wheel and reached across to lay a hand on her belly. I got it right where it counts.
She rolled her eyes. Here we go. Yeah, you’re black. Black men always going on about what they can do with their junk.
You liked it when I laid it down.
She snorted on purpose and pretended to be interested in the passing scenery. From the corner of her eye, she saw her husband gearing up to be insulted. When she couldn’t hold it in any longer, she laughed long and hard. By the time she could pull herself together, tears streamed down her face.
Malik, if you could have seen your expression just now…
He clammed up, pressing his lips together and focused on the road. She pouted and rubbed his arm. The stubborn thing shook her hand off. While she thought of words that would soothe his bruised ego, the baby in her belly kicked, and she gasped. Malik’s hand flew to her stomach, and his eyes widened.
Okay?
he asked. The car swayed a little. She laid her hand over his and patted it.
I’m fine. The baby just kicked that’s all. I wish you could feel it.
She kept still and shut her eyes, trying to will her little one to move again for her daddy. The baby seemed to be as stubborn as Malik. She never moved when Deandra tried to encourage her to do it.
When she opened her eyes, she found Malik staring at her. She pushed his chin with the tip of one finger. He frowned but put his gaze on the road ahead. I’m worried about you. Are you sure the baby is supposed to be kicking? It’s not in your mind?
"I’m four months pregnant, Malik. Trust me, I’d be worried if she didn’t move."
"He," Malik corrected.
You keep insisting the baby will be a boy. Wishing it really hard doesn’t make it happen.
You don’t know that,
he argued. Malik Jr. is going look just like his dad. I’ll teach him everything I know.
And what about her mother?
Just because you want him to be a her doesn’t mean he will.
She ignored his mocking tone. Whatever. Turn that up. This is my jam.
Malik twisted the button on the radio louder, and the two of them went back to dancing. Deandra kept watching her husband, laughing and singing to the top of her lungs. The miles they covered were nothing as they drove from Georgia to their new town in Texas. She hated road travel, but being with Malik made everything all right.
When her song went off, he turned the radio down again and grasped her hand. Hey, baby, are you sure about this?
This? You mean moving to some small hick town where we might be the only black spots for twenty miles?
He laughed. Let them try to have a problem with me or my family.
She shook her head. You’re always ready to fight.
I’m not fighting, just protecting what’s mine.
Uh-huh.
No, seriously though. I checked. There are black people everywhere in this country. You’d be surprised. Anyway, tell me you’re sure, Deandra. You know I love you, girl, and I want my baby to be happy.
A warm fuzzy feeling washed over her. I’m happy as long as I’m with you, Malik. I told you that the day we got married. Plus, if I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have been standing out on Detroit Avenue selling off our lame furniture. I’m still surprised people wanted it.
Don’t diss the stuff we got second hand.
She laughed. Anyway, we sold everything for this move so we could buy that house in Lucky Springs. Trust and believe if I didn’t like what we were doing, I wouldn’t have gone for it. I think we’re doing the right thing. I mean, I can’t believe we’re not going to have a mortgage. I’ve been paying rent since I was seventeen and moved out of my mother’s house.
He kissed her hand. That’s why I was the right man for you. None of this in and out of jail BS. I’m a real man.
She rolled her eyes. Aren’t you supposed to let others make that claim about you?
"If I wait for some people, I’ll be old and gray."
Is that a dig at me? I stroke your ego all the time.
My ego isn’t what I want you to stroke.
Boy, get your mind out the gutter for one second. I’m already pregnant. Haven’t you had enough?
His eyes grew wide, and she couldn’t help staring into them. She loved his big brown eyes. You’re not serious, are you, Deandra? I’ve got a big appetite for sex. I read where some women lose their desire for it when they get pregnant. Please don’t tell me—
Jeez, calm down. I was joking.
You not funny, Deandra.
Yes, I am. I play you like a fiddle.
She wiggled the fingers of both hands like she played a guitar. Malik pointed at her, and she laughed before smacking his hand away. Her stomach growled, distracting her, and she rubbed it. This child is hungry.
You just ate like two hours ago.
And what?
He checked the GPS system. We’ve got twenty miles until we get there. Can you wait?
Malik.
All right, fine. When your voice goes all deep like that, I wonder if that’s a baby in you or something else.
Not funny.
He acted like he played a guitar, and she shoved his hands back on the steering wheel. Malik had the last laugh as he pulled off the highway and into the parking lot of a country-style restaurant.
A short while later, DE Andréa sat down before a plate full of delicious-looking food. She couldn’t wait to stuff two French fries into her mouth and chewed while humming happily with her eyes closed.
Stop that,
Malik complained. You’re making people think I’m starving you.
She opened her eyes and looked around. There weren’t that many people in the restaurant, and as far as she could tell only one man was looking her way. A kind smile stretched nice lips, and gentle blue eyes crinkled at her in amusement. She noticed the man had only a couple fries on his own plate and a bite or two of his burger left. He knew how she felt if Malik didn’t.
She stuck her tongue out at her husband, too happy to be knocked off her food high. Nobody’s thinking you’re starving me. I can buy my own food, you know.
You’re pregnant, so they’re looking at me to be your provider.
She put a hand on her hip, cocking an eyebrow up at him. Are you going to be like this the whole time?
Like what?
Ridiculous. Because if you are, let me know. I left a good-paying job to follow you across the country, and I can sure get another job to pay my own bills.
Not with my baby you’re not.
"We agreed I’d stay home until the baby goes to school, if you can afford to take care of everything. You make it sound like it was all your decision."
That’s not what I’m saying.
He pushed her plate closer to her while sticking his straw into his mouth. Eat your food.
She didn’t move. Malik, we’re really good together, but I don’t like this attitude that crops up sometimes.
He said something under his breath and went back to drinking.
You’re not going to comment?
He looked her in the eye. You’re wanting to start a fight, and I’m not buying into it.