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2021-08-26 17:28:25Milli 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) 7
“I’m so sorry… I… I forgot to eat.” Milli profusely apologized after she fainted in the NICU nursery. “Mrs. Rowling, you need to be more careful. Your blood sugar was dangerously low.” A doctor had scolded her for not eating because of her morning sickness. He was concerned, “Your baby’s heart sounds fine, and like it isn’t under any stress. Are you certain you don’t remember when your baby last moved?” “Maybe yesterday,” Milli wasn’t sure if it moved or if she had gas from binging on enchiladas, tacos al carbon, and refried beans with Marni. He left after ordering her to eat small meals every four hours and see her obstetrician as soon as she could for a complete workup. “Men don’t understand morning sickness or cravings, or the actual effect stress has on a pregnant body, mind and baby.” The nurses assured her as they rolled their eyes at the doctor, then offered Milli every sort of treat they could find. However, the nurses didn’t want her to drive herself
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 8
On the Sunday before Marni’s funeral, which was to be held the following Tuesday, Jean was flying back to Dallas to face Edgar’s mother and file the divorce papers. She would get them through the court before quitting so the divorce couldn’t be stopped. The Rowlings were evil enough to have a judge under Colleen’s claws that would approve the papers the same day. “Good luck, Milli. Take care of those little angels.” Jean hugged her. “In a few years, you can go back to doing your cake contests. If I’m still around, I promise I’ll watch the Foodie Network for you. But if you ever run across the Rowlings, just lie and tell them Emily and Jr are not their kids. They can’t make you give them a DNA sample without a court order, and a judge will need more than hearsay to order it. Show the judge those pictures of bachelor number two we doctored the dates on. The pictures of Edgar in compromising positions should be enough to discourage them from bothering you, especially if you thr
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 9
The week of Thanksgiving, Dallas Tx, six months after leaving Vegas… Heith scowled at his phone for the hundredth time this week. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Marni hadn’t texted or called him since Halloween, and neither had Milli, he wondered what had changed. Marni had been pleading and needy the few times they actually spoke, proclaiming that she loved him, and begging him to come home, while he demanded she move to Texas with him.Milli had pleaded for their husbands to return and he had agreed reluctantly, then asked his cousin’s secretary to book tickets for Labor Day weekend. But his bruised ego couldn’t let go of the fact that Marni and Edgar had an affair and he changed his mind. Marni admitted the affair the night they learned his grandfather died, and her heated, hateful words still burned in Heith’s mind. Edgar had shrugged off his part in the affair and his own infidelity after the funeral, sam
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 10
Friday morning after Thanksgiving, Vegas Heith and Edgar stared blankly at the “For Rent” sign in front of Marni and Milli’s house. Looking through the windows, the house was completely empty. Several neighbors were giving them very hostile looks and a police car stopped to tell them to move along or they would be arrested for trespassing. They went to the school address Heith had from Marni’s location app and asked about Marni Haywood-Rowling. The lone security guard at the gate glared at them when they gave their names. Then he threatened to call the police and have them removed for trespassing. At the Famous Vegas Cakery, no one would tell them anything about Milli or which bakery she now worked for. Desperate, they went to The Velvet Rope as a last resort, hoping that some of Marni’s friends still worked there. The evening crowd was just arriving. It was getting dark, but Edgar did not miss the hostile looks they were getting from the bouncer as th
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 11
As they walked back into their hotel, Edgar read through the TRO paperwork. His hands shook. “We’re screwed, Heith. If we go within five-hundred feet of Milli or attempt to contact her in any way, we will be arrested and charged with felony stalking, regardless of wether she agrees to press charges or not.” “What about Marni?” Heith demanded, trying not to touch his broken nose. Edgar flipped several pages as the elevator descended. He looked at Heith, confused, “It doesn’t say anything about Marni.” The hall outside their room smelled like sewage or garbage or both. Opening the door, the smell that wafted out of the room hit them both like a slap in the face and they gagged. Edgar vomited in the hall as Heith slammed the door shut, swearing colorfully. Heith was glad his nose was packed with gauze, as he left Edgar puking, and stormed back upstairs to the front desk. The girl at the front desk blinked at him with an expressionless face, then sent the bellhop
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 12
Saturday after Thanksgiving, Durango, Colorado... Milli and Camille were eating pretzels as they walked through the mall behind Willow and Gracie. The girls were taking turns pushing Emily’s stroller and sipping frappes. The 12-year-olds squealed happily and pushed the stroller into a store filled with plushies and candy. In moments, they were hovering over Emily who just yawned as they waved colorful stuffed toys at her. “She looked at this one.” “No, she didn’t, she looked at mine.” “She likes the red and orange one.” “No. The blue and light blue.” “She likes the firefish, Gracie!” “She likes the dolphin, Willow.” They were getting louder and louder, and Emily had scrunched up her face. “Girls! Babies at that age don’t see colors well, it’s about contrasting colors, find something black and white,” Camille scolded. Shaking her head as they stalked off mumbling about penguins an
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 13
Milli sat in her car, snowflakes swirled against the glass as she waited for the light to turn green. She watched them dancing, carefree like the fireflies of the summer, and couldn’t stop the tears from running down her cheeks. The only reason her hands weren’t shaking because she was gripping the steering wheel so tightly it turned her knuckles white. She was trying to keep it together until she got home from her obstetrician appointment. The doctor had come all the way back on a Monday to see another high-risk patient and to give Milli some devastating news rather than wait for her appointment on Thursday. * * * Last Thursday... The nurse took all her vitals and had her put a half-gown over her breasts and baby bump. A cart with a portable ultrasound was wheeled in. The obstetrician, an older man with thinning hair and jovial voice, asked Milli a myriad of questions, then if she had any concerns before th
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Red Velvet & Anemones (Pagosa Cliff, Book One) 14
Elizabeth struggled to rise so Lloyd helped her as Milli carried a crying Emily and the carrier toward them. “The doctor said we will know next Thursday if Emily got it from Edgar too. The genetic testing takes three days.” The doctor had followed Milli out, “Ms. Haywood, we really need to talk about your procedure.” “Dr. Barrows, I’m not having an abortion! I’m Catholic!” Milli snarled at him. “But you could die if you get sepsis, he isn’t really alive.” The doctor argued. “You have to consider your health for Emily’s sake. You don’t need to worry; she won’t have this.” Milli snarled at the doctor's suggestion, “You get Emily’s DNA sorted, and then I’ll worry about myself. I will see you Thursday. I’m ready to go.” Milli huffed at Lloyd and Elizabeth. “Fine, Ms. Haywood but if you have any cramping at all, fever, nausea, feeling faint, you call 9-1-1 and come straight in.” The doctor looked seriously at Lloyd and Elizabeth. “Keep an eye on he
Last Updated : 2021-08-26
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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
