Read Scarred (Unlikely Heroes Book 5) Online
Authors: Leslie Georgeson
Scarred (Unlikely Heroes Book 5) (32 page)
Everyone formed a line behind Karen, rushing to give congratulations. Craig was the second to congratulate them, then Nick and April. Zach and Meghan came next, and finally Emily’s stepmother, Jennie. Emily’s father Max stood back, waiting until everyone else had moved on. Then he took a step forward.
Sebastian tensed. What if Max told him he didn’t approve of him? What if he told Sebastian he wasn’t good enough for his daughter?
Max paused in front of them. His gaze went from Emily to Sebastian. And lingered.
Sebastian forced a smile, his heart pounding, his insides squirming with nerves.
Max extended his hand. “I never properly introduced myself. Max Montgomery.”
Sebastian slipped his hand in Max’s. “Sebastian Wolfe.”
Max quirked a brow. His handshake was firm. Almost too firm. “You don’t think I know who you are? Emily’s been a fan for years. We’ve watched your movies together. When she told me she was dating you, I didn’t like it. I didn’t want my daughter around a man like you, a man with your reputation. Drugs. Alcohol. Women.”
A silence settled across the yard as everyone paused what they were doing to listen in.
“But I watched you tonight. I saw the way you look at Emily, the way you listen to her when she speaks, the way you touch her.” Max’s hand tightened around his.
Sebastian swallowed hard. He couldn’t look away from Max’s hard stare.
“And it’s clear to me that you love her.” Max released Sebastian’s hand. His gaze softened.
“Congratulations. Thank you for making my daughter happy. I couldn’t have chosen a better man for her and I’ll be happy to call you my son-in-law.”
The breath whooshed out of Sebastian’s lungs as relief swamped him.
A cough came from across the yard. Craig?
Emily grinned. She leaned into Sebastian, tightening her arm around his waist. “I told you my dad would like you.”
Happiness spread over him, around him, like a huge bubble. Her father approved of him. He approved!
Max chuckled. Then he clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. “Emily’s a good judge of character, and I can see that she’s chosen well.”
Sebastian nodded. “Thank you. I promise to do my best to make her happy for as long as I live.”
Max’s gaze grew serious again. “I’ll hold you to that.” He turned away and lifted his soda to the group in a salute. “To Sebastian and Emily.”
“To Sebastian and Emily!” everyone echoed, raising their drinks.
Jennie pulled Emily aside, whispering something in her ear. Emily laughed and hugged her.
Max turned back to Sebastian. Leaning close, he whispered, “Emily doesn’t know this, but I’m a former addict myself. When Emily was abducted, I turned to alcohol as an escape. I spent two years trying to drown my pain in a bottle.” He looked away for a moment. Then his gaze came back to Sebastian’s. “If you ever have a weak moment and need someone to talk to, don’t be afraid to call me and I’ll help you through it.”
Sebastian didn’t know what to say. He was…humbled. He stared at Max, speechless. At last, he cleared his throat. “I don’t think it will be a problem. I’ve been clean for over six years.”
Max smiled, a genuine smile that lit up his face. “That’s great. That’s really great.” He moved away, letting his wife snag his arm.
Emily came back to Sebastian, her eyes shining with happiness, and wrapped her arm around his waist. “I love you.”
Sebastian squeezed her against him. “I love you, too. More than you know. Thank you, Emily.”
She lifted a questioning brow. “For what?”
“For loving me, for believing in me, for
fixing
me.” He kissed her, long and slow, not caring that everyone was there, watching. Finally Sebastian drew back, grinning down at her. She smiled back, her eyes bright with happy tears.
His “plan” may have seemed ridiculous at first. But it had worked. Emily’s goodness had rubbed off on him. She’d saved him. Rescued him.
Fixed
him. She was everything he’d ever dreamed of. And for some crazy reason, she loved him. She’d given him back his soul. Helped him find his heart. Showed him how to be himself. And showed him how to love.
It may have taken him awhile to find true happiness, but now that he had, he would hold onto it, cherish it, for the rest of his life.
Sebastian glanced around at the group, at the faces smiling at him, at all those who had already found their own happiness.
And now, at last, he’d finally joined the crowd.
###
Thanks for reading Sebastian and Emily’s story. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave me a review. Reviews are what help readers discover new authors and I appreciate each and every one. I also encourage you to share this book with your friends.
This concludes the Unlikely Heroes series. If you haven’t already, please be sure to check out the other books in the series:
Stolen – Book 1
Abducted
– Book 2
Deceived
– Book 3
Stoned
– Book 4
Leslie Georgeson wrote her first book at the age of fourteen and has been weaving tales ever since. She’s an avid reader and craves edgy, unique stories about strong characters overcoming difficult struggles. She likes to make her own characters suffer through life-altering hardships, but she believes happy endings are what make all the struggles worthwhile.
Leslie lives with her husband, daughter, two horses and a cat on a quiet county acreage in Idaho. Visit her webpage at
http://lesliegeorgeson.com/
to learn more.
Other Titles by Leslie Georgeson
AVAILABLE NOW:
No Son of Mine
(mystery/drama)
Stolen
– Book 1 in the
Unlikely Heroes
romantic suspense series
Abducted
– Book 2 in the
Unlikely Heroes
romantic suspense series
Deceived
– Book 3 in the
Unlikely Heroes
romantic suspense series
Stoned
– Book 4 in the
Unlikely Heroes
romantic suspense series
Scarred
– Book 5 in the
Unlikely Heroes
romantic suspense series
COMING SOON:
Exiled
– Book 1 in the
Underneath
dark fantasy romance series