Heart in Waiting (Heart's Intent Book 5) Read online

  Heart in Waiting

  Heart’s intent five

  Dawn Brower

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Heart in Waiting Copyright © 2018 Dawn Brower

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  DEDICATION

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  EPILOGUE

  EXCERPT | Better as | a Memory | Begin Again Two | Dawn Brower

  Better as a Memory

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  BOOKS BY DAWN BROWER

  DEDICATION

  For Elizabeth Evans—I know how much you wanted Dane and Reese’s story. I am glad I was able to finally give it to you. Thanks for being one of my friends, and loving everything I write. You’re the best.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Special thanks to my editor Victoria Miller. I’m always amazed at her talent, and as an editor—I’ve never had better. Thanks for all the hard work you do and the help you give me to make my stories stronger. I really do appreciate it more than I could ever say.

  PROLOGUE

  Ten years earlier

  Music echoed through the ballroom at the Roseland Hotel. Everyone was dressed in their prom finery—except him. His mother barely made enough to make ends meet. Dane had a job, but even his money went to pay the bills. So, no, he didn’t have on a fancy tuxedo. He’d been lucky to scrounge enough to purchase a used suit at the thrift store. It didn’t fit him well, and even after a bit of home dry cleaning, it smelled like death mixed with mildew. He prayed no one noticed.

  “Why, if it isn’t Dane Hunter crawling out of the slums for the night.”

  Of course his luck wouldn’t hold out. Especially as he never had any to speak of... All he’d wanted was to have one dance and a magical moment he’d be able to carry in his memories for the rest of his life. Perhaps attending prom had been a mistake. The money for the suit and the ticket could have been used for something else—like food. Eating was a commodity they couldn’t afford to ignore, yet he had for this one night. She’d been the reason he’d thrown caution to the wind.

  Like a magnet drawn to its polar opposite, his gaze drifted to the one female he couldn’t ignore even if he wanted to—Reese Jackson—and he certainly had no desire to forget her. He loved her and always had. Sadly, she barely noticed him; however, one time she had. She’d come into the diner where he worked and made him a promise that if he came to prom, she’d dance once with him.

  Of course, she’d been taking pity on him after he said he wouldn’t attend. Dane wasn’t too good to take charity, and that was what that promise had been. She glanced up and met his gaze, and for a brief moment, nothing else existed.

  “Hey, douchebag,” someone said as they shoved him.

  Dane met the gaze of his jerk of a brother. “Go away, Nolan. I’m not bothering you, so why don’t you return the favor?” His brother was one of the immaculately dressed gracing the ballroom. He had on a designer tuxedo that fit him perfectly. It was probably tailored specifically to him. Their father didn’t spare any expenses for his golden boy. They were as opposite as two people could be. Where Nolan was light—Dane was as dark as sin. Going by appearances alone, one would think Nolan an angel of good and Dane the son of Satan. In that assumption, they would all be entirely wrong...

  Nolan laughed almost evilly. Dane hated him a little more with each interaction. There had been a time he’d wished for a brother. If he could take back that wish, he’d have done it a long time ago. How could one person be so rotten? At times like these, Dane wondered if he had a little bit of the evil gene festering inside of him too. Nolan and Dane shared a father, but nothing more. The esteemable Mason Pratt had decided to abandon one family in favor of the other—with one notable exception. He’d agreed to send Dane to the same private school Nolan attended. Something he could have done without, but his mother had insisted. She’d wanted him to have the best education possible. All Dane had wanted was to forget he had a father, and a brother.

  Since the school was so expensive, his father considered it all the child support he’d ever give. Dane suffered through the teasing and constant bullying from his classmates. He kept his head down, completed all his schoolwork, and became a social outcast. There was nothing at the school he wanted other than the education provided. At least, until he met Reese. She changed his mind about everything. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a student there and was currently dating one of the seniors. At least it wasn’t his brother. He wouldn’t have been able to stomach that...

  “Your very existence bothers me,” Nolan spat out. “Where did you get that suit? A dumpster?”

  Of course Nolan would notice his smelly suit. He should have stayed home. A mantra that was soon repeating on a loop inside his head... Reese wouldn’t dance with him. Why should she? The stench rolling off him couldn’t be completely hidden with a few dryer sheets and a touch of cologne.

  “Don’t you have something better to do than harass me?”

  Nolan hated him. Dane hadn’t started out loathing his brother, but he hadn’t given him much choice. Nolan’s animosity far outweighed Dane’s and that was something he couldn’t completely comprehend. His brother had everything while he struggled and fought for the little he had. Their father chose to stay with his mother and had left Dane’s to suffer.

  “Because your existence leaves a foul taste in my mouth—you’re the one person I can take it out on.” Nolan shoved him again, pushing him into a nearby wall. “Leave, and maybe I’ll forget you had the audacity to show up tonight. No one wants you here. Do yourself a favor and drop out of school too.”

  Dane took a deep breath and held back the urge to drive his fist into Nolan’s perfect face. It wouldn’t help him and only aid Nolan’s cause to have him expelled from school. It had been his brother’s main goal since their father had him enrolled a few years ago. Dane’s mother, Moira, reminded him daily to keep his cool, but it was becoming increasingly more difficult with each passing day. The moment he graduated, all bets were off though. He’d gladly show Nolan exactly what he thought of him then.

  “What are you doing?” a female asked as she stepped toward them. Dane knew that voice. It had played over and over in his dreams each night that he’d recognize it anywhere. Reese was coming to his rescue and all he wanted to do was hide. She shouldn’t see him like this... She crossed her arms over her chest and glanced at Nolan.

  “Who are you?” Nolan asked and released his hand from Dane’s chest. He practically oozed charm as he spoke. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  Reese glanced at Dane and then back at Nolan. “I’m not from here.”

  Dane rolled his eyes. That wa
s obvious enough—if she went to the same school, she’d have pretended nothing was happening. No one ever went against Nolan. His word was practically law in the hallowed halls of Shelton Academy. While she was distracted by Nolan, Dane took the time to appreciate her exquisiteness without her noticing his attention. He let his gaze roll over her exquisite beauty. Her blonde hair was piled on her head in a twist of curls that framed her lovely heart-shaped face. The gold flecks in her hazel eyes made them appear to sparkle in the low light of the ballroom and her soft pink lips were delectable. Dane wished he had the privilege of kissing her good night. Something that would probably never happen, but a boy could dream.

  “Uh...” Reese continued to stare at Nolan. Dane had the urge to use his fists again due to that look alone. Please don’t let her be fooled by his perfect façade too... She cleared her throat. “I’m Reese.”

  That was probably his cue to make himself scarce, but he couldn’t move. This was his luck rearing its ugly head once again. He’d never be the one to get the girl, and he shouldn’t have tried. What in the world had he been thinking? He hadn’t been, and that remained a problem where his heart was concerned. Reese blinded him to reality, and he had to stop living in a fantasy. She’d never look past all the charm Nolan presented and actually see Dane.

  “Reese,” Nolan said carefully. “I’d love to chat with you more, but I’m busy taking out the trash. Perhaps we can find time later to become better acquainted.”

  Reese glanced at Dane again and frowned. “Actually, I’m going to have to decline. I have a boyfriend.” She gestured toward Dane and smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I did promise him a dance.”

  He couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d declared him a better man than his brother. In a way, she’d actually done that. He couldn’t have loved her more than in that moment. The scowl on Nolan’s face was worth a thousand days of bad luck because, for once, he had a moment of good fortune. He was going to dance with the girl he loved and make that memory he’d hoped for when he decided to attend the prom.

  “Are you ready?” Reese held her hand out to him. “I love this song.”

  He couldn’t have picked a better song to dance with her to if asked. Dane had nothing without Reese, and he didn’t actually have any claim to her. How sad was that? He swallowed the lump in his throat and held out his hand to her. “It’d be my honor.”

  They walked to the floor hand-in-hand. He couldn’t think of a damn thing to say, but sometimes words weren’t needed. If he could declare his love for her he would; however, she didn’t care about him in the same fashion he did her. Reese would always think of him as someone she had to help, and a friend she could lean on at best. He’d have to accept that their relationship would never reach the level he wanted. A small part of him cried out in frustration at what he’d never have, but for the most part, he was all right with at least being able to have something with her. Just because he wanted her to love him wouldn’t make it happen. Some things weren’t meant to be, and he and Reese were one of them.

  “Are you having fun?” she asked.

  That had to be a joke—he wouldn’t call what he’d done with Nolan anything near to fun. “Not until now.” After their dance, he’d make a quick exit and avoid his awful brother. Even if he had another altercation with him, he’d be all right. He’d gotten what he came for, and that was all that mattered.

  “I’m glad you came,” Reese told him. “I thought you wouldn’t. Everyone should go to their prom even if it’s for a few moments. High school doesn’t last forever, and some of the memories will be even more appreciated as we get older.” Her lips tilted upward into a warm smile. “Or so I’m told.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” At least in this one instance. “But high school hasn’t exactly been pleasant for me. I’m anticipating graduation and never looking back.” Some things were best forgotten, and the years of hell at Shelton Academy were at the top of his particular list.

  “I’m sorry for that.”

  “Why?” he asked. “You’re not responsible.”

  “I know.” She frowned. The music continued to float around them as they swayed to the beat. “But I’m sorry all the same. I hope that, in time, things won’t be so hard for you.”

  “It’s fine.” An uncomfortable sensation took root at the center of his stomach. “I have a plan, and one day none of this will matter.”

  “That’s good.” Her face nearly lit up when she smiled. “I want to help people, and I am going to be the best doctor in the whole state. Having a plan set in place is going to help me achieve that, so I’m especially glad you have one too.”

  “Why?” he couldn’t help asking. “What does it matter what I’m going to do with my life?”

  Her smile faltered a little. “Because I see you and how hard you’re working at the diner—you might not think any one notices, but I do. No one should have to be as tired as you are this young. Someday I pray it’ll be easier for you.”

  “Don’t,” he replied. “When it gets easy then things will surely fall apart. I’m all right—I promise.” He didn’t want her worrying about him or his future. “Concentrate on your goals and be that amazing doctor you have planned. Maybe one day we’ll cross paths again and we can compare notes.”

  “That would be wonderful, and I’m going to hold you to it.” The strands of music started to dissipate. “But it’ll take me a little longer than you since I don’t graduate for a couple years. Don’t forget about me while you’re off achieving your dreams.”

  “I’d never do that.” How could he ever forget about her? “The song ended. I suppose I should escort you back to your date.” He wished he didn’t have to, but reality had a way of creeping in when he least wanted it to.

  “I can find my own way. Thanks for the dance.”

  “It was my pleasure.” A lump was forming in his throat again. He hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to let her go. She nodded at him and headed toward her boyfriend, not once turning to look back at him. Dane envied her boyfriend more than he could ever say. To have the benefit of being with her—to openly love her... His heart would be forever waiting for her to claim it, and he was afraid she never would.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Present Day

  Reese pushed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear and took a deep breath. It had been a particularly rough day at the hospital. She loved her job, but some days were harder than others. Working in pediatrics had been a carefully made decision. She wanted to save kids so they could live long and full lives. Sometimes she couldn’t do the one thing she’d set out to do, and when she lost one of those innocent souls, it gutted her even more than before. The loss of little Amanda though... A toddler no more than three years old—should be alive and happy. Why could the world be so damn cruel? She couldn’t shake the anguish that settled deep inside of her.

  She pushed open the nearest door and flipped on a light. Somehow, she’d managed to find the family waiting area in the PICU. There were no more family members waiting to see if their little girl would live or die. Silence and a vacant room greeted her. Tears fell down her cheeks before she’d realized she had given into the emotions ruling her heart. How had she ever believed she’d be able to do this? Her inner strength couldn’t take many more beatings like this or she’d never survive.

  Maybe it was time to re-evaluate her life goals. She needed some peace and quiet, so she did the one thing she’d never done since she’d become a doctor. She shut her phone off, then slid it in her pocket so no one could contact her for a little while, and finally she could breathe and make a decision about her life.

  Without thought, she slid into the nearest chair and considered everything that had gone wrong, and yes, even right in her life. She’d finished medical school at the top of her class, aced her internship, and then made it through the first year of her residency at Envill East. If she kept on her current path she’d be at the top of the program and eligible for a fellowship.
She should be ecstatic, yet she was far from it. Her career was on track; however, her personal life was completely in shambles.

  A knock echoed through the room, bringing her out of her melancholy. “Dr. Jackson?”

  She wiped the tears from her cheeks as fast as she could and turned to the sound of her name being called through the room. “Yes?”

  “You’re needed for a consult in the ER—you weren’t answering your phone...” the nurse told her. Damn it. She’d shut it off for five freaking minutes. “There was an accident, and Dr. Souza requested you—it’s a little girl around five.”

  Another child, another chance to make a difference—or another chance to fail... Which would it be, and at the end of the day would she still be able to live with herself? “I’m on my way.” Reese pushed past her and headed to the emergency room, leaving behind the pediatric ICU and the bad memories. She owed this new child her best, and she couldn’t do that with images bombarding her.

  Once she reached the emergency room, she headed to the nurses’ station. Lana Kelly—Brady—leaned against the counter, staring at the tablet in her hands. Reese wasn’t used to her new last name. She’d married Sullivan Brady faster than anyone anticipated, and they were already expecting their first child. Reese would say one thing for Sullivan—once he found what he wanted, he worked fast.

  “Ren needed me?” Reese nodded at Lana. “Where’s the patient?”

  “She’s in room four,” Lana said. “Halie Morris, five years old. Multiple contusions, unconscious, and broken fibula, but that isn’t what Ren’s concerned about.”

  “That’s not bad enough?” What else could have befallen the little girl to have Ren so concerned? “She was in an accident, correct?”

  “Yes,” Lana replied. “A drunk driver ran a red light and right into the vehicle the little girl was in.” She rubbed her belly as she spoke, probably thinking of her own child. “The mother is already in surgery. Preston is taking care of her.”