Sandy Kisses by the Sea by Traci Hall

Author:Traci Hall [Hall, Traci]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kendelle Press
Published: 2017-11-03T04:00:00+00:00

Ronan left Lucia’s apartment, walking the mile to his place near the bar. Born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, he’d never left the state of Florida—graduated with a bachelor’s from Florida State University. Inheriting the bar with his siblings meant he’d taken business courses, and creative writing. The accounting to help his parents, the writing for his soul. He’d been raised on the ocean, taught to handle anger with exercise. Swimming, paddle boarding—and playing basketball in the front bar parking lot when it wasn’t too hot or humid.

He unlocked the door to his third floor apartment, walked inside and went directly to his bedroom. Changing into shorts and running shoes instead of pressed jeans and a button up shirt, Ronan stretched and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. His heart ached at Lucia’s story.

She’d had none of the advantages he’d had while growing up, and yet she’d made a name for herself as a tattoo artist. Remarkably reserved considering her peers, Lucia personified beauty and grace. Talent. Drive.

Usually armed to the teeth with self-confidence, without arrogance, he’d gotten a peek inside her soul today, at her inner fears and doubts. God, if only she’d let him help. How to make her see she wasn’t her mother?

He stepped outside, primed to outrun his own doubts but came nose to nose with his brother Jaime.

Jaime had green eyes, red hair and a mischievous grin to put a leprechaun to shame. His brother’s eyes dimmed as he clapped his hand on Ronan’s shoulder. “Want to grab a beer and talk about it?”

He looked at Ronan’s shoes, shorts and the water bottle. “What?” Ronan asked, taking a drink. “No, man. I don’t need a beer.”

“You’re giving the O’Neills a bad name, bro. Let me borrow a pair of shorts and we can shoot a few hoops. I hate to run. It’s pointless. At least with basketball I can kick your ass, which makes the effort worthwhile.”

Ronan shook his head. “I’m fine–but you know where they are.” He stepped back to let his brother pass. Ronan was thirty, Jaime thirty-two. Married his high school sweetheart, who’d died in a hit and run three years back. No kids, and he swore he’d never marry again. That he’d had his love of a life time.

Jaime appeared within moments, the basketball from the hall closet twirling on his finger. While he’d been changing, Ronan had brought the engagement ring from his pocket and opened it on the kitchen counter, his heart heavy as the diamond shimmered from his unshed tears. “Let’s go, bro,” Jaime said. “Should we call the others?”

“I don’t even want to play with you,” Ronan grouched, averting his face from his brother’s sharp gaze. “So, no. Thanks.”

“So she doesn’t want to marry you,” Jaime said. “It stings the pride, but what of it? Does she want out of the relationship now, too?”

Ronan followed Jaime out of the apartment, locking the door behind him. “She says it isn’t personal. She doesn’t want to marry anybody.

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