THE BLESSING
The Colorado Series Book 1
by Lizzie Lee
After years of drifting, Trevor Warren2527s world comes crashing down with the news of his brother2527s death. Returning to his hometown in Evergreen, Colorado for his brother and sister-in-law2527s funerals, Trevor realizes he has but a moment to grieve before his nephew, Greyson, is thrust into his life. Becoming the legal guardian to Greyson will either be a blessing or a curse. His late brother, Dean, was the golden child—the perfect son, husband, and father—while Trevor was his polar opposite. Despite his rough past, Trevor pulls his life together to become the father Greyson deserves. Although he tries to be a better man, he never feels like he2527s good enough… especially for his neighbor, Veronica Clark.
Veronica “Ronnie” Clark is the picture of maturity and success. Despite having her life together, she2527s always felt as if something was missing. From the moment she saw Trevor, she knew he was trouble wrapped in a sinfully attractive package. While she would usually shy away from men like Trevor—something about his rugged appearance captivated her. His handsome face, gorgeous ink, and wounded aura may have caught her attention, but it2527s his giving heart that kept her yearning for more.
“You think Ronnie likes me, little guy?” I ask Grey as if he could give me a valid response.
He babbles something, cocks his head to the side, and begins to laugh. Fuck, even the kid doesn2527t think Ronnie and I could ever work out. As I park outside our apartment building, I give myself a mental pep talk. You can do this, Trevor. She2527s just a hot chick you2527re interested in. She2527s offered you her friendship so take what you can get.
I2527ve considered talking to my dad about her, but I decided against it because I thought it2527d be pretty awkward. What would I say? “Dad, I think I2527ve met the right girl for me. She2527s perfect, but I2527ve only just met her, and I2527ve talked to her a handful of times. What do you think I should do? How do you know if a girl2527s right for you?” I cringe at the thought of a conversation like that. And what if it didn2527t work out? How uncomfortable would that be? My dad would ask about her and I would have to tell him that she found a guy who2527s accomplished and clean cut, the type of guy girls usually go for. Yeah, that2527s a conversation with my dad that2527s never going to happen.
I try to keep my head filled with positive thoughts as I slide out of my ride and pop open Grey2527s door to get him out of his car seat. As I2527m unbuckling him, I look through the cab window of my truck to find Ronnie standing by, what I assume is, her Jeep, chatting up some tall blonde guy. What the hell? I can2527t help but feel somewhat… betrayed. Which is absolutely ridiculous considering she isn2527t mine. I pull Grey from his seat and hold him close to my chest. The feel of his breath on my neck comforts my psyche. I step away from my truck to get a better look at Ronnie and the douchebag she2527s talking to. I shouldn2527t call him a douchebag. This guy could be her brother for all I know. However, with his blonde hair and tall build, as opposed to Ronnie2527s wild brunette curls and petite frame, they couldn2527t look less alike. She laughs at something he says, before their conversation comes to a close and they say their goodbyes. He bends down to give her a hug and I nearly lose it. Get your hands off of her, fucker! If I wasn2527t holding my infant nephew, I would2527ve marched right over there and broken the couple apart. Christ, I2527m turning into a fucking Neanderthal over here.
The blonde jackass walks away and gets into his car, leaving Ronnie all alone by her Jeep. She turns in my direction and I jump behind my truck—ducking down like a coward. Play it cool, Trevor. She doesn2527t even know you2527re here. I didn2527t see a hint of recognition on her face when I ducked, so her looking in my general direction must have been a coincidence. Just when I think I2527m in the clear, Grey squeals so loudly I2527m sure the entire complex could hear him. I cringe at the sound and wish I could just fucking vanish into thin air. She doesn2527t need to know I was spying on her. Hell, if she wasn2527t out here talking to some guy, I would2527ve just gone about my business.
“Trev?” I hear her sweet voice question as she approaches my truck.
Not wanting to look like a complete jackass hiding behind his truck like a coward, I grab the pizza with my free hand, trying to look as if I were fishing for it in the backseat. When she2527s in my line of sight, I take a step back from the truck, kick the door shut, and give her one of my best crooked grins, praying it doesn2527t come across like an awkward grimace.
“How2527s it going, Trev? I didn2527t even see you over here.” She sounds casual and completely unaffected by what I could2527ve possibly witnessed. Maybe that was her brother, after all. If it was a date, wouldn2527t she feel uncomfortable right about now?
“It2527s all good now that I2527m off work.” I pause for a moment, shifting uncomfortably on my feet. “You want to come up to my place and have dinner with us? We were just going to veg out on the couch, watch some movies, and eat pizza.”
“That sounds good. I was just planning on ordering take-out and watching reality TV,” she says as she follows me toward the steps of our building. Grey is animated in my arms, babbling to her the entire way. As soon as we reach the steps, Ronnie stops and says, “I can take Grey if you want. I don2527t want you to drop the pizza.” She2527s teasing me. I like it when she teases me.
I hand her Grey, who is more than happy to be passed off. I suppose he prefers being in the arms of a beautiful woman as opposed to being carried by his smelly uncle, who2527s covered in dirt. He immediately begins running his hands through her long hair and smiles brightly at her as if he knew he was the cutest thing in the fucking world. I roll my eyes and snort as I realize I2527m jealous of my nephew. He2527s touching Ronnie and I2527m holding a fucking pizza.
“He2527s a giant flirt,” I tell her as we make it to the final flight of stairs. “I can2527t imagine what he2527s going to be like when he2527s a teenager.” If he2527s going to turn out anything like me, I2527m going to have to give him the “sex talk” pretty early. With the way he2527s looking at Ronnie, at least I know the kid2527s going to grow up to have amazing taste. She2527s innocence and sin all mixed into one delicious package.
“I2527m sure you2527ll have plenty of girlfriends, Greyson,” Ronnie says with a giggle as she watches my little guy play with her hair.
Unable to help myself, I peek down her sweater as she gambols up the last few steps. Well, I2527m going to need to excuse myself the second we get inside. Maybe she2527ll watch the baby while I take a quick shower. I unlock the door to my apartment and kick it open, ushering Ronnie inside. She2527s rocking Grey and barely takes any time to look at her surroundings. Which is good, considering my apartment is nothing compared to hers.
✯✯✯✯✯Trevor2527s character speaks to ever person who has ever been on a dark path & found the strength to go into the light. I loved this book from start to finish & I can2527t wait to see what you write next Ms. Lee. By shari gaye parris Amazon
✯✯✯✯✯A life reaffirming book about a young man who thinks he has lost everything but finds redemption in being a father to his nephew, finding love, reestablishing his relationship with his father, and connecting with his mother. Beautiful story of forgiveness. By 2muchtrouble Amazon
✯✯✯✯✯This is a book about acceptance of yourself. It2527s also about loss and growing as a person but most of all about Love.
Trevor is a newly sober man who has come home to care for his baby nephew who he has sole custody of since his brother and sister in law2527s sudden passing.
This book is raw and real and bittersweet. Trevor is trying so hard for baby Greyson, he2527s a little clueless but he2527s learning while trying to fix the relationship with his parents, at least his dad is supportive of him and so is a beautiful brunette across the hall named, “Ronnie”, Veronica. I love the steamy and sweet relationship they have. They are good for each other and Grey lover Ronnie too. By Candace Richard (Sassy) Amazon
Lizzie Lee is twenty-three years old and lives in Carmel, Indiana. When she’s not writing, she loves to spend her time reading, online shopping, attempting Pinterest projects, and watching cult horror movies.
