That was when it hit me. I had two choices. Freak out or calm the fuck down and share some damn cotton candy with my daughter. I chose the latter.
We ended up playing some games, and Amber took Lainey on a few of the kiddie rides—you know, the ones that were safely planted on the ground.
Right when we were about to leave, Lainey pointed to the Ferris wheel. “I wanna go up! Up!”
“Next time, Lainey,” she was quick to say.
Was I really going to prevent my daughter from enjoying a ride on the Ferris wheel because of my fear? Yes, I was more comfortable with all of us on the ground, but the guilt of denying her that experience was eating away at me. I knew that would be wrong.
I pushed the words out, “Why don’t we all go?”
Amber’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” I swallowed hard. “The three of us.”
Amber looked stunned but really proud. “Okay.”
If ever I could take a step like this it was going to be today. Both of my girls were my strength. With them by my side and the knowledge that my sister’s spirit was with us, I could do anything.
I’m not gonna lie. My heart was definitely pounding as we got situated in the seat and locked in the handle bar. The only real anxiety was on the first go-round. After that, it got progressively easier. Lainey would wave to the people on the ground. With my daughter’s laughter in the air, it wasn’t so bad.
This Ferris wheel ride was like the story of my life—a little scary with ups and downs but exhilarating and fun at the same time.
Suddenly, Lainey did something she hadn’t ever done before. When the Ferris wheel stopped, she was hiccuping from all of the laughing—just like Amber.
Yup. My life had come full circle—with a few hiccups along the way.
Dear Readers,
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Gentleman Nine! Want to read a free sexy novelette I wrote? JADED and TYED is not available for sale anywhere as an ebook. It’s exclusively for subscribers to my mailing list. Click to sign up: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/p1b0axreue and you’ll receive this EXCLUSIVE free book.
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD
* * *
DRUNK DIAL
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
MACK DADDY
USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
ROOMHATE
New York Times, USA TODAY and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
STEPBROTHER DEAREST
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
NEIGHBOR DEAREST
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
SINS OF SEVIN
USA TODAY Bestseller
JAKE UNDONE (JAKE #1)
JAKE UNDERSTOOD (JAKE #2)
MY SKYLAR
USA TODAY Bestseller
GEMINI
DEAR BRIDGET, I WANT YOU (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
MISTER MONEYBAGS (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
PLAYBOY PILOT (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times and USA TODAY Bestseller
STUCK-UP SUIT (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
COCKY BASTARD (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times and USA TODAY Bestseller
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
* * *
I always say that the acknowledgements are the hardest part of the book to write and that still stands! It’s hard to put into words how thankful I am for every single reader who continues to support and promote my books. Your enthusiasm and hunger for my stories is what motivates me every day. And to all of the book bloggers who support me, I simply wouldn’t be here without you.
To Vi – I say this every time, and I am saying it again because it holds even truer as time goes on. You’re the best friend and partner in crime that I could ask for. I couldn’t do any of this without you. Our co-written books are a gift, but the biggest blessing has always been our friendship, which came before the stories and will continue after them. (Who am I kidding? We won’t ever stop writing.)
To Julie – Thank you for your friendship and for always inspiring me with your amazing writing, attitude, and strength. This year is going to kick ass!
To Luna –Thank you for your love and support, day in and day out and for always being just a message away. I’m so happy you’re back in the US!
To Erika – It will always be an E thing. I am so thankful for your love and friendship and support and to our special hang time in July. Thank you for always brightening my days.
To my Facebook fan group, Penelope’s Peeps – I love you all. Your excitement motivates me every day. And to Queen Peep Amy – Thank you for serving as the Peeps admin. and for always being so good to me from the very beginning.
To Mia – Thank you, my friend, for always making me laugh. I know you’re going to bring us some phenomenal words this year.
To my publicist, Dani, at InkSlinger P.R. – Thank you for taking some of the weight off my shoulders and for guiding this release. It’s a pleasure working with you.
To Elaine of Allusion Book Formatting and Publishing – Thank you for being the best proofreader, formatter, and friend a girl could ask for.
To Letitia of RBA Designs – The best cover designer ever! Thank you for always working with me until the cover is exactly how I want it.
To my agent extraordinaire, Kimberly Brower –Thank you for believing in me long before you were my agent, back when you were a blogger and I was a first-time author.
To my husband – Thank you for always taking on so much more than you should have to so that I am able to write. I love you so much.
To the best parents in the world – I’m so lucky to have you! Thank you for everything you have ever done for me and for always being there.
To my besties: Allison, Angela, Tarah and Sonia – Thank you for putting up with that friend who suddenly became a nutty writer.
Last but not least, to my daughter and son – Mommy loves you. You are my motivation and inspiration!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
* * *
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over a million books sold, she is a seventeen-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over fifteen novels, including RoomHate which hit #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #1 on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list. Other New York Times bestsellers include Stepbrother Dearest, Neighbor Dearest, Drunk Dial, Cocky Bastard, Stuck-Up Suit, Playboy Pilot and Mister Moneybags (the latter four co-written with Vi Keeland).
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Penelope Ward, Gentleman Nine
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