Just One Step

Just One Step

Rosie Chapel

Rosie Chapel.com

Contents

Just One Step

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Epilogue

Author Bio

Prelude to Fate

Other Books by Rosie Chapel

Hannah’s Heirloom Series

Linen and Lace series

Other Regency Stories

Contemporary romance

Just One Step

Rosie Chapel

Copyright © Rosie Chapel 2017

All rights reserved.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names and characters are a product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

eBook Edition Licence Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, please return it to the distributor and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

First printing 2019

ISBN: 978-0-6485283-5-7

Ulfire Pty. Ltd.

P.O. Box 1481

South Perth

WA 6951

Australia

www.rosiechapel.com

Cover Designed by Lisa Miller with Got You Covered

NB: This novella was originally published as part of the Tempting Fate Charity Anthology under the title Finally Home.

Created with Vellum Created with Vellum

This novella is dedicated to all who strive to overcome the obstacles life throws at us.

Your courage, strength and resilience, humbles and inspires me.

Chapter One

The sound of screaming metal seemed forever etched into her brain. No matter how hard she tried, it refused to be silenced; a constant reminder, as though she could ever forget. The terrible noise swirled around her head during the day and stalked her dreams. Six weeks after the accident it was as loud as the day it happened.

The day she lost everything.

Daisy Forrester fisted her hands, banging them hard against her stupid, useless legs. Why hadn’t she been killed that day? She might as well have been — what use was she now? Not even her doctors could make it better; ‘I’m so sorry Mrs Forrester, the damage to your spine may be too severe.’ ‘Until the swelling goes down, Mrs Forrester, we cannot tell whether you will regain the use of your legs.’ On and on and on they talked, trying to sound positive, when all they meant was — well yes, we know this sucks, but them’s the breaks, deal with it. No — that wasn’t fair, she’d received the best of care, including daily consultations with a counsellor, who was quite lovely but, in the end, it was down to her.

To fight or to give up was solely her responsibility.

Her mind drifted back to that late February afternoon. The afternoon when for the first time in months she was happy. She had some exciting news and she was on holiday. They were motoring down to Cornwall, the first break they’d shared in over three years.

Micah, her husband, was often away, he flew all over the world attending conferences, but Daisy never accompanied him. He had dissuaded her, saying it was pointless; she would be bored, there’d be nothing to do while he was in sessions, and the hotels were miles from anything interesting. He stopped pretending his reasons were purely altruistic, after she caught him in an affair following a convention the year after they were married.

She had ranted and raved at him, demanding a divorce. He convinced her it was a mistake, just one of those things. At the time she was gullible and trusting, so they made up. Their fiery passion, as always, blurring her common sense. They stayed married, and he continued to attend conferences. She did not go with him and he still had affairs. They no longer mentioned it, it was like an itch he had to scratch, and he always came home to her. He obviously felt guilty, because he never failed to bring her an expensive, shame induced, gift.

Daisy’s best friend, Reagan — the only person who knew — had told her countless times to kick him out, and maybe she was right, but Daisy loved Micah, faults, and all. She had loved him since they first met eight years ago, when she was seventeen and he twenty-one. He was the one who chased her, and she hadn’t given in easily, wanting to be sure he was serious. He worked hard to convince her, and at the time she believed he wanted forever.

When he was with her, he was considerate, loving and attentive and, as far as she knew, he never played around close to home. The odd times Daisy forced herself to consider her situation dispassionately, she conceded she was being an idiot. Micah was a serial offender but, when push came to shove, Daisy could not bear the thought of seeing him with her replacement and, affairs aside, she believed they were as content as most married couples she knew.

The morning they set off on holiday, Daisy had received confirmation she was about two months pregnant. She suspected as much, two home tests were probably a reliable indicator, but she wasn’t prepared to assume anything until her doctor verified her supposition. Although, she and Micah hadn’t talked about starting a family, they had been married five years and — as everyone insisted on telling her over and over again — her body clock was ticking.

They had left home early. The roads weren’t too busy, and they reached the borders of the Cotswolds just after midday. Following a tasty pub lunch, Micah took the wheel. They had only been back on the road about an hour when Daisy, who initially intended to wait until they arrived, could hold it in no longer. Excitedly, she shared her news only to see Micah’s face darken, while the words spewing out of his mouth fractured her heart.

What the hell, Daisy? How could you do this to me? You know I hate kids. What makes you think I’d ever want some obnoxious brat hanging off me, puking all over, leaving its toys everywhere, making a mess.

Daisy gawked at him in shock. Since when do you hate kids? You have a great time playing with your nephews, referring to his sister’s two boys who always dragged Micah into endless games whenever they visited. Micah never complained, throwing himself into the fun with enthusiasm.

I can leave them when I’ve had enough, you don’t have that luxury when you have your own. They’re with you all day, every day. Micah shuddered in disgust.