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2024-10-29 19:42:56Superintendent Patrick had asked Milli for her number again at Ben Wallace’s funeral. Milli had been frozen in place for a moment with Emily on her hip, looking for Aunt Elizabeth. She had handed over one of the Wild Anemones business cards without hesitation and agreed to make 1000 simple vanilla cupcakes and a specialty cake for a raffle.
It had taken her two days of baking in her oversized double oven, in the oven of the single bedroom cottages and the oven in the Anemone. Running between the four buildings in the wind and snow was annoying and cold. Now, she had only to decorate the last of them and deliver them today.
While her mixers hummed, making more buttercream frosting, Milli rolled out fondant and stamp-cut hearts out of the sheets. Each heart made her think of Lloyd’s tattoo. She groaned in her head; she liked him a lot, but obviously, the feeling wasn’t mutual. He made her feel things she didn’t understand, things different from wh
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Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) About the Author
The Sequel: Wild Anemone is coming soon. Hello friends,I'm Mama Magie Ward. A farm mom and author who started writing as part of my stroke recovery.We walk together in the penumbra, a space of partial illumination between the shadow and the light.Mine are stories about and for those who face overcoming or succumbing.Reality turned to fiction as a coping mechanism. There will be triggers for survivors. Some of the beginnings, middles and endings are not what I would wish on anyone. But sadly, these are the truths many have to overcome. We are all sisters and brothers; we have choices in a world that teaches us we are objects. You are not alone.I encourage you to seek healing if you need it.There is always the choice... Be Better, not bitter.Thank you for considering my scribbles. Be Blessed.F******khttps://www.f******k.com/authormmwardI****thttps://www.i****t.com/penumbraminetwitter
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) Prologue
A six-year-old Milli Velvet struggled to carry her baby brother Duran. She had to run; she had to get away from their mother, Diva Divina Velvet before she killed them too. Her brother was limp in her aching arms as she ran out into the street to get away from the drunk monster screaming and staggering after them. Car tires squealed as Milli fell down. She was sure they were going to die, about to be squished like the neighbor’s cat. She closed her eyes and braced herself for the impact. Suddenly, there were people, then ambulances, and police cars all around her. Her face and head hurt from where her mother had hit her when she tried to stop her from striking a crying and feverish Duran. As the people tried to help her and her baby brother, her mother was carrying on like she did on the day her sister Roxie was murdered. Strangers who didn’t know the truth tried to comfort Milli’s mother. The EMTs rushed Duran away in one ambulance and Milli away in another. Dr. Emi
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 1
The February before…Milli Haywood was rapidly decorating cupcakes for a wedding when her boss shouted at her to pick up line two, it was her sister.Scowling, Milli snatched the cordless phone tossed her way out of the air, “Not now sis, I got a thousand cupcakes and a cake to finish by 5 PM for delivery.”Marni laughed at Milli’s tone. “You always say that.”“Well, this time it is true. The family booked a wedding online, but the outside caterer they hired off the internet was a scammer and took them for the whole food budget. We are scrambling to get the wedding cake and cupcakes for over 500 plus ones done and delivered by 6 PM.” Milli shifted the phone and shouted out, “Tray pickup!”“Ow! Too loud!” Marni complained.Twisting the icing bag in her hand, Milli made black bows with a practiced hand and revealed the wedding details tiredly, &ldqu
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 2
Milli stepped out into the hospital lobby just as Heith opened the stairwell door and stalked toward her.“You sure are a skittish little thing.”“No, I am just cautious around men I don’t know.” Milli looked him up and down critically. “Nice to meet you. I hope your cousin recovers soon.”Tipping his head, Heith watched her walk away then caught up to her. “Miss Milli, I don’t know what kinda men you’re used to, but I was raised to be a gentleman. I wouldn’t feel right not taking you to dinner after you saved my cousin’s life. There is a very nice restaurant at my hotel, very public. I promise no funny business.”Milli eyed him, and battling against her cautious side, she agreed. “Fine, but I need to take my sister to work, she… she doesn’t drive. Where is your car? You can follow me.”“I came straight from the airport; I was going to Uber
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 3
Three months later…As Milli listened to soothing piano music and piped black swirls onto two tiers of a white velvet five-tier cake, she remembered her wedding only six weeks ago. The love she had for Edgar poured out her hands into the delicate, beautiful design she was creating on the cakes.He was her first in everything from the moment she had saved him from being mugged outside the Velvet Rope Club, to the first thought she had this morning when she woke up. She had gone to pick up Marni at 3 AM. Her sister was always getting off work just as Milli was getting ready to head to work. She and her sister’s life always blended seamlessly from the day Haywood adopted Milli. Side-by-side sisters, always there when the other one needed them. Nothing ever came between them. If Marni didn’t have the job she had, Milli never would have met the man of her dreams.As her hands flew over the surface of a cake, stacking the tier
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 4
Milli was still shaking when she arrived at The Velvet Rope. Marni was sitting in a car with a guy Milli had seen before. Jarvis Adams was the lawyer for the owners of the club who were not so secretly connected to the mafia. Milli had catered many parties for the Valtini cousins, she sent cakes to their family members back east, and even sent a cake to the local Federal Supermax four times a year. Milli was horrified when her sister leaned over and kissed the lawyer before getting out and walking over to Milli’s Subaru.Marni smirked and waved a handful of large bills. “Take us to a hotel, sis. There is no way I am going home to the jerk tonight.”“Fine,” Milli readily agreed. She didn’t want to go home either.“Wait? You’re okay with this? Since when did Ms. Frugal approve of spending unnecessary money?” Marni stared at her like she had grown two heads. Marni knew Milli never wanted to spend money on anythi
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 5
November in Vegas… Milli and Marni sat side by side in the airport, waiting for a text message or a phone call or anything that would explain why their husbands weren’t on their flight. Edgar and Heith had not returned after the two weeks it took to arrange the funeral. They hadn’t returned the next month, or in the six months since their grandfather’s funeral. Milli had been trying to get Edgar to come home, but he always had an excuse to stay in Texas then he stopped answering her calls and text messages completely. Out of sheer desperate curiosity, Milli stalked Edgar’s prolific social media posts and saw both cousins tagged in several pictures with ex-girlfriends and other beautiful women out at restaurants, clubs, or business-social engagements. The women were all tall, thin, and fair skinned like Marni, and nothing like the short, curvy Milli with her afro-hair that hung in shiny, frizzy curls, or her caramel colored skin with i
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 6
Milli walked behind another nurse into the west wing of the hospital and walked down one flight of stairs in silence. “Do you know how you would like her remains handled?” The nurse asked kindly, interrupting her memories. Her name badge said, Stacy. Milli drew in a deep breath, trying to fill the emptiness with air as they stood outside the door. She knew her sister was on the other side, just as her parents had been, just as Roxie and Duran had been. Her soul rebelled against what her mind knew was true. She was alone again... except for Baby Emily. Milli forced the words out. “Our parents’ ashes are at Our Lady of Angels. They can call them to... to... get... her...” Milli’s sobs shook her. “Oh honey, is there any other family we can call to be with you?” Stacy offered. Milli shook her head violently, “I was adopted, and we only have an old widowed aunt in Colorado and some cousins in Alaska.” “Do you want me to stay with you?” The
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Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) About the Author
The Sequel: Wild Anemone is coming soon. Hello friends,I'm Mama Magie Ward. A farm mom and author who started writing as part of my stroke recovery.We walk together in the penumbra, a space of partial illumination between the shadow and the light.Mine are stories about and for those who face overcoming or succumbing.Reality turned to fiction as a coping mechanism. There will be triggers for survivors. Some of the beginnings, middles and endings are not what I would wish on anyone. But sadly, these are the truths many have to overcome. We are all sisters and brothers; we have choices in a world that teaches us we are objects. You are not alone.I encourage you to seek healing if you need it.There is always the choice... Be Better, not bitter.Thank you for considering my scribbles. Be Blessed.F******khttps://www.f******k.com/authormmwardI****thttps://www.i****t.com/penumbraminetwitter
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 29
Superintendent Patrick had asked Milli for her number again at Ben Wallace’s funeral. Milli had been frozen in place for a moment with Emily on her hip, looking for Aunt Elizabeth. She had handed over one of the Wild Anemones business cards without hesitation and agreed to make 1000 simple vanilla cupcakes and a specialty cake for a raffle.It had taken her two days of baking in her oversized double oven, in the oven of the single bedroom cottages and the oven in the Anemone. Running between the four buildings in the wind and snow was annoying and cold. Now, she had only to decorate the last of them and deliver them today.While her mixers hummed, making more buttercream frosting, Milli rolled out fondant and stamp-cut hearts out of the sheets. Each heart made her think of Lloyd’s tattoo. She groaned in her head; she liked him a lot, but obviously, the feeling wasn’t mutual. He made her feel things she didn’t understand, things different from wh
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 28
Lloyd’s soul ached like when he had lost his Uncle Ray, and worse than the times they had lost men in combat. It ached because the man they were gathered to say goodbye to meant as much to him as his grandfather and great-uncle. Ben had been a fixture in the community for his whole life and he had died as a hero in Lloyd’s book. He didn’t look anywhere except at the clear sky above the minister’s head. He didn’t hear the words the minister said, and the words of Amazing Grace, and Sweet By and By, came out without a thought as he sang the hymns. He saluted when they played Taps for Ben who had served with distinction and earned several medals including the Navy Cross. Afterward, he watched Tonia pretending to be distraught, and Tim doing his best to ignore her and pay attention to Tiana. He wasn’t surprised when they all went inside to have a memorial meal together, but Tonia had left. Milli was offering cake to the Wallace family when Molly squeezed his ar
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 27
The wind raged through the trees above him. Lloyd was about to call out when he heard the whistle from the overgrowth under a large cedar, it was a place sheltered from the oncoming storm. Lloyd pushed away the overgrowth of limbs and fallen branches, there he saw Beau was leaning against the trunk, the whistle in his mouth. He seemed asleep; he inhaled slowly and blew a loud blast. Ben was lying next to him, his shoulder ripped open, his skin ashen. Lloyd knew Ben was dead. Ben’s coat was draped over Beau’s legs. Lloyd crawled in, “Beau, I’m here.” Lloyd lifted the bloody coat off his friend’s leg. It was a mangled mess. A belt was tightened above his knee. Lloyd had seen a wound like this before. The driver in an APV ahead of him had suffered the same injury when they ran over an IED, he hadn’t made it. Lloyd knew that the tourniquet would cost Beau his leg, but it may have saved his life. “Hang on, Beau. I am going to get you out of here.” Lloyd cr
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 26
When they got back to Pagosa County, Lloyd drove to the Ridgeline Ranch as he promised. Milli got out in the starting snow and was shocked when Camille’s girls rushed out, looking scared. “Girls, where is everyone?” Lloyd demanded seeing the scared girls and led them inside. “We don’t know, Deputy McConnell. Mom and Gramma Dorine rode out to look for Grandpa Ben and Beau when Cajun and Poncho came home alone.” Willow’s chin trembled as Gracie added further, “Mom thinks something bad happened...” and her tears started to fall. Lloyd instantly knew something bad had happened and called his grandfather about bringing the horses and everyone on hand from the Rocking M over to Ridgeline Ranch. They needed to start a manhunt before the weather got worse and someone died. Milli shifted nervously, holding Emily close. “Is that really a thing here? To ride out looking for a bear?” She looked confused and terrified as she asked Lloyd, “Why would they go looking
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 25
Milli was up before dawn. Peeking in Lloyd’s room, she saw sprawled out on the bed in his boxers. Empty bottles from the mini-bar covered the night table. On one shoulder was a military tattoo, and in the center of his chest was a heart with a lettered ribbon. ‘ANTONIA’ was written there. It looked like an old tattoo, one that had spent years over his heart. She scowled as he rolled over onto his side, exposing his back. He was covered in scars and a few had come from bullets. She had grown up in the Vegas ghetto until she was 6, then had a close friend who was a cop and another who was a cop’s son, so she knew what those wounds looked like when they healed. She was glad Lloyd was out of the military and working in a county as small as Pagosa. His life was safe now, but his spirit was another story. Tonia had crippled it. Sitting by the bed, a plan quickly formed in her mind, Milli logged into the hotel’s wi-fi. She found the shop she was looking for in minutes and snapped a
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 24
The next morning, they headed to the slopes without talking any more about their past. Milli fell down as much as she skied but she always got back up. Lloyd showed her a better way to turn and stop. He feared for her bodily safety. Between her lack of skill, absence of fear, and need for speed, he worried she would break something. By afternoon, they were talking in their suite after showering while waiting on room service for an early dinner. The adrenaline from the day on the slopes hadn’t worn off yet. “Whoever taught you how to ski was trying to get you maimed or killed,” Lloyd huffed. “Well, he was from Texas,” Milli answered, laughing at his stormy expression. “A Texan?!? Really?” He seemed disgusted. “You let a Texan teach you how to ski?!?” “Yep. He taught me to ski in Tahoe, California, in April.” She grinned at his reaction. “Seriously? A Texan taught you to ski in California?” She nodded enthusiastically. “Yep.” She popped
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 23
Milli wondered if Lloyd had talked to anyone about all the drama Tonia had caused in his life. She had seen men fall into Marni’s orbit and stay there for years; some ended up losing their marriages. “I promised to come back for her… I got home from Bootcamp a day early to surprise her and my family. I thought I was home alone, then I heard them upstairs. I just stood there at the door, watching my cousin screwing my girlfriend. I must have made a sound because they stopped. Both said they were sorry, and I punched Tim square in the nose. I hit him and didn’t stop. Tonia was screaming at me to leave him alone. When she said that she was having his baby, I froze.” His hands tightened on the wheel. “Tim got up and hugged Tonia, said he was going to marry her. He begged me to forgive him and said it had just happened. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. It felt like the time we were screwing around, and I fell off the barn, but this time it wasn’t my ribs that were broken,
Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 22
Milli laughed malevolently to herself as she drove straight to City Hall and parked on the side in front of the Sheriff’s Offices. “Hello Ms. Ruby, I need to talk to the sheriff about borrowing your nephew,” Milli began handing the woman a box of carrot cake muffins. She saw Lloyd standing in the office with Sheriff Tanner; they both walked out seeing Milli. Ruby smiled up at her and winked. “Can I help you, Ms. Haywood?” Sheriff Tanner asked in a concerned voice. “Actually, you can, Sheriff,” Milli smiled wickedly and held out a box of pastries to each man, “I came to offer you cake-mail in an attempt to get a favor from you concerning your deputy.” Sheriff Tanner grinned handsomely as he lifted the lid to the box. “I’m listening.” Milli could almost hear Marni’s ‘hello, cowboy’ to Tank as Milli winked at Lloyd. “I am sure you heard about my little trade at the Bingo game last night.” “No,” Lloyd said firmly, holding
