When you Make it Home blog tour + Review +Giveaway

When you Make it Home by Claire Ashby

Synopsis:

Meg Michaels, a bookstore owner, has already walked away from two cheating exes. She’s learned her lesson and has her mind set on success—until she gets knocked up. Embarrassed and unwilling to discuss her situation with friends and family, she wears layers to hide the pregnancy.

When Meg gets sick at a party, she’s mortified. Even worse, Theo Taylor, the guest of honor, discovers her secret. Theo, an Army medic wounded in the war, agrees not to reveal her condition, and the two forge a bond of friendship that blossoms into love.

Theo is soon filling all of Meg’s late-night cravings—and not just the pregnancy-induced ones. But can their love overcome all the obstacles that stand between them and creating a happy family?

 

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Chapter One

I first caught sight of Theo at his welcome home party. A mob shifted around him,

jockeying for a position next to the guest of honor. I lingered near the door to the living room

and listened to the joyful words and murmur of good wishes directed toward him.

Someone whispered, “… lucky to be alive.”

The doorbell rang and crowd parted. For a moment, he stood alone. Tears burned the

backs of my eyes. I couldn’t see the luck in what was left of him.

Ellie pinched my arm. “Don’t stare,” she said on her way to the door.

I bit my lip, turning away. But my attention found its way back to him, and I sneaked

another look at his arms, surveying the road map of scars trailing away from bandages. My gaze

traveled to his face, and I gasped. Theo glared at me with defiant hazel eyes, as if to say, Go

ahead and look all you want; I can take it. I knew he’d lived through much worse than I had and

that my own problems paled in comparison with his. I could use some of his strength. But, of

course, I couldn’t tell him that.

“What’s wrong with you?” Ellie hissed, using the same voice as when she caught me

eating the cookies meant for story time at our bookstore.

She steered me into the dining room, and once she had me cornered, she snatched a box

of tissues and pushed them at me. “Get control of your hormones. We already went over this. If

you want to keep your secret, you can’t get all teary eyed.

“I know.” I blinked rapidly, waving the tissues away. “I’m not crying. I’m sorry. I don’t

know what’s wrong with me.” I pressed my lips together, trying to clamp down on the list my

brain rattled off. I had plenty wrong with me. But a party wasn’t the time for a self-directed

lashing. I could save that for home, after I dispensed a generous share of support to my best

friend, who was desperate to give her brother-in-law the hero’s welcome he deserved.

Ellie hugged me, and the tension between us evaporated.

“Don’t let Theo see you looking at him with those weepy eyes. He gets pissed whenever

anyone shows him an ounce of sympathy.”

“Deal. But I wish we could do something for him.” I hadn’t meant to gawk at the guy.

With all the progress updates Ellie had shared with me, I knew far too many details about

his surgeries and struggles. Theo often woke up screaming, but no one said whether his cries

came from pain or nightmares. That knowledge haunted me until my overactive imagination

filled in the blanks. I knew too much about the man, and I’d never met him before today. Worse,

all I could do about it was put on a happy face.

I stepped back and reached out to touch the soft cotton of Ellie’s new yellow dress. “You

look fantastic.” The fabric hugged the curve of her belly, erasing any doubt she was pregnant and

not just packing on the pounds.

“Thanks.” She scanned the crowd. “Jake got back late last night,” she whispered. “He

picked Theo up at the rehab facility and brought him to their mom’s house.” The lines around

Ellie’s mouth deepened. “Jake offered to let Theo stay here, but fortunately, their mom didn’t

like that at all. Jake’s optimistic, but I never met Theo before he deployed, you know? I wish I

had.” Ellie rubbed her belly. “Theo’s quiet.”

The doorbell chimed, and Ellie hurried off. I used the chance to slip into the bathroom. I

flipped the exhaust-fan switch and sighed with relief that the hum muffled the noise of the

partygoers. With trembling hands, I turned on the cold water and let the icy stream rush over the

insides of my wrists. I took a deep breath and checked my clothes in the mirror.

My new Marc Jacobs jacket covered the basic black T-shirt that hid a waist-contouring

camisole. Skinny jeans and burgundy, open-toed heels completed my look. Almost anywhere

else in the country, my outfit would’ve been perfect for a casual spring evening.

But not in Texas.

Early May, and the temperatures had already soared into the mid-90s. To make matters

worse, my jeans fit tighter than they had the week before. I’d expected they would loosen after I

wore them awhile. At least the cut of the jacket hid my growing belly. My secret is safe for

another day.

I licked my lips and swallowed the lump in my throat before rejoining the party. The

chatter and laughter had risen to competitive levels. I couldn't face trying to fit in, and I fell back

into a trance. Theo fumbled around Ellie’s living room, gripping his crutches. One of his arms

was heavily bandaged, and he had a thick square of white gauze taped below his ear. But what

sent a shiver through me was the sight of his leg. He had only one.

“Come on. I’ll introduce you,” Ellie said from behind me. She hooked her arm through

mine and pulled me along. “Theo, this is my friend, Meg Michaels.”

“Hello.” He gave a slight nod, shifting on his crutches to extend his hand to me.

Despite the fact that I’d had my eyes on him for most of the last half hour, I’d failed to

notice his hit-the-pause-button good looks. Theo’s injuries drew attention away from his athletic

build, but there was no hiding the tall, rock-solid composure. Close-cropped dark hair added to

his dangerous edge. But when his full lips lifted into a smile, I could barely stand still at the

unexpected warmth that surged through me. That surge skidded to a halt when his brooding eyes

locked onto mine.

Theo cleared his throat.

I reached for his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Did he have any idea how much I

already knew about him? My face heated, and I felt like a big dummy while he appraised me as

though he had all day. Ellie had disappeared, and I didn’t know the proper protocol for

socializing with a man I inexplicably felt intimidated by. Not that Theo seemed to mind.

He appeared all too comfortable with silence, but I needed to speak, if he wasn’t going to.

So I wouldn’t have to yell over the noise of the party, I leaned into him, despite the fluttering in

my chest that made it hard to inhale. “Would you…” Background music and clatter from the

growing crowd swallowed my words.

He angled in closer. “What?”

I kept my eyes on his, refusing to glance at any other part of him. “Can I get you

something to drink? Do you need anything?” I cringed at my voice—too pitchy, too polite.

He shook his head and looked past me.

I mumbled an excuse about helping out with dinner, stepped away from him, and fled to

the back of the house.

Melinda, Ellie’s mother-in-law, darted around the kitchen, yanking covered casserole

dishes from the fridge and shoving them in a row along the counter. How had Theo and Jake

come from such a trim little woman? Her white hair fell in waves around her flushed cheeks.

“Hey there.” I huffed shallow breaths to fend off the strong aroma of browned butter. My

stomach clenched.

“Hi, Meg.” Melinda's puffy, dark-ringed eyes surveyed the spread in front of her.

“You’re doing an amazing job, but don’t you want to go sit with Theo?” I wrapped my

arm over her shoulders, giving her a squeeze, suddenly aware that no one was looking after her

needs. I wasn’t qualified for that job; mothers were not my thing. “Tell me what to do. I’m here

to help.”

“Why did I insist Jake and Ellie give Theo a party?” Her voice cracked and her lip

trembled, but she continued to work, tearing foil off macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and corn

on the cob. “Theo used to be so popular. He always wanted his friends around—they were all so

wild—but only a few of them replied to the invitation.” She slammed her hands down on the

table and lowered her head. Her pale-blue eyes were wet and red rimmed, but she held back her

tears.

“It’s okay. He’s going to be fine,” I promised, even though I had no clue if that were true.

“He’s not alone. There are tons of people out there. Ellie invited the staff from the bookstore, and

Jake has plenty of wild friends.”

Melinda turned to me, nodding. “You’re right. You know, I accepted what Theo had been

through… how he had changed. But that was at the hospital and at rehab where he was

surrounded with guys he could relate to, people who were going through the same thing he was.

It’s different here.” She blinked, and tears slipped in two straight lines down her face. “Every

time I look at a young man I think: Theo should be like that. He shouldn’t have to go through

this. It’s not fair.”

“It’s not, and I’m so sorry.” I moved to hug her, but she wiped at her face and turned

away from me.

“It’s okay. I’m fine.” She cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. “Theo needs to

eat. He has to keep his energy up. Can you man the grill? I can’t do the burgers and do this.”

“Trust me, no one wants me in charge of the grill, but I’ll go find Jake. Are you sure

you’re okay?”

She yanked open the silverware drawer and rummaged around, pulling out a collection of

serving spoons. “I am. Thank you, Meg.”

I ducked out of the kitchen, wiggled my way around the thirty or so people in the living

room, dodged conversations with friends, and found Jake and Ellie whispering together near the

front door. Jake’s hand rested on Ellie’s belly, an image I’d seen many times, but today I had to

look away.

Watching Jake and Ellie highlighted the loneliness of my pregnancy. I could almost long

for Bradley’s return, but since he disliked public displays of affection, I doubted he’d be much of

a tummy toucher. I had called off our wedding four months earlier, partly because of his business

trips. At first, he’d leave me for a few days or a week at a time. But as his weeks away piled up

on each other, that feeling of a shared life fractured. The longer he stayed away, the less we

connected when he came home.

Especially once I found out he had plenty of time to spend in the company of another

woman.

“Hey, break it up, guys,” I said. “Jake, your mom wants you at the grill.”

As he walked by, he patted me on the shoulder, in on my little secret. When one’s best

friend gets married, one learns that even the most classified information is going to echo off an

extra set of ears. I loved Jake, though, so I was okay with it. Ellie’s man was loyal. I’d trusted

him even before she did and had convinced her that she was going to lose a good one if she

didn’t give in to love. In the first year of her marriage, Ellie was already four-and-a-half months

pregnant.

That was the best part of my mistake. While I might have gotten my single self knocked

up, at least my lifelong best friend and soul sister was preggers, too.

“Hey, little momma.” Ellie rubbed her belly, smiling deliberately at mine.

“Shush!” I looked over my shoulder and stuffed my hands in my jacket pockets. “Don’t

say that.” I’ve never been a self-conscious person, but since my flat abs had exploded into a

telltale pooch two weeks before, I’d been nearly hysterical, feeling as if I were wearing one of

those "Baby on Board" T-shirts with a big arrow pointing down.

“Sorry, Meg. I just know everything is going to work out for you.” The warmth in Ellie’s

voice triggered a lump in my throat. “Besides, you’ve always got me to lean on.” She squeezed

my shoulder.

Scanning the faces in the room, I struggled to breathe. How many of those people thought

they knew all about me? I took a step back, but there was no escaping the pressure that rolled

over me like a wave pulling me under.

My stomach churned under the unrelenting fear of discovery and the weight of choices

before me. The smell of beef cooking on the grill didn’t help. Rising bile in the back of my throat

overwhelmed the familiar metallic taste.

“You don’t look good.” Ellie came to my rescue, as always. “Why don’t you lie down in

my room for a while? I’ll cover for you.”

“Are you sure? I’m supposed to be helping you.” I took a deep breath, determined to pull

myself together, but prickling sweat popped out on my brow.

“Let’s go.” Ellie put her arm around my waist and led me away from the crowd. I looked

over my shoulder. Theo was eating from a plate on a TV tray, carefully chewing each bite.

Melinda sat next to him looking calm and composed.

After Ellie left, I kicked off my heels and hung my jacket and T-shirt over the chair of her

antique vanity in the far corner of the room. The ceiling fan, set to low, spun in lazy circles. I

lifted my hair in a twist and looked down at my body. The camisole that used to conceal my

belly accentuated the protruding bump. I couldn’t deny the obvious.

There was a baby on board.

I tugged the hem of my camisole up over my bump and tucked it under my swollen

breasts. The snug top stayed where I’d left it. I couldn’t believe someone was in there. Before,

every choice I’d ever made was calculated. A few random decisions had changed everything.

The bedroom door banged open, and I jumped, expecting Jake or Ellie. Instead, Theo

lumbered in on his crutches and slammed the door behind him.

“Excuse me, do you mind?” I tugged my top in place to cover myself, but Theo’s gaze

took in my bare skin. He watched my movements closely and locked the door. For some reason I

flushed and grew warmer as he came closer to the bed. Could he want to trap me? Of course, the

thought was ridiculous. I was pretty sure my small, five-foot-five-inch, exhausted, knocked-up

self could plow through a one-legged boy covered in bandages if I wanted to get out of there

badly enough. The thing was—I wanted to stay.

“Give me a break.” He hobbled to the king-size bed without looking at me then propped

his crutches against the wall before falling back onto the mattress. “You think you can hide in

here all by yourself?” He hauled what was left of the lower half of his body onto the bed. A flash

of pain crossed his bronzed face. Closing his eyes, he lay back on the striped navy sham. He ran

his good hand through spiky hair the same tawny brown as the week-old scruff on his face. “Hit

the light on your way out,” he barked.

“Hey, I was here first, and I was just about to rest there. Ellie told me I could.” I smacked

a hand over my mouth. “Wait… I’m sorry. That was rude.”

Theo lifted his head off the pillow, squinting from the overhead light. He peered at me in

a slow, thorough inspection that left me fighting not to squirm.

“Well, Jake told me I could crash here. Turn off the light and come on.” He patted

the bed next to him. “Forgive me—I didn’t notice you’re expecting.” He rolled his eyes.

The breath shot out of my lungs, and I wrapped my arms around my stomach as if I could

hide the truth. “Stop looking at me,” I said, making my way to the light switch.

Although he’d draped his tan, muscular arm across his forehead, I sensed his eyes

tracking me. I pictured my belly growing with each step, the truth transparent. I switched off the

lights. The sun was on the other side of the house, and fading afternoon light glowed in the room.

I went back around the bed and paused, not sure I really wanted to get in with this hostilelooking

guy who had spent recent years surrounded by sand and weapons.

Theo glared sideways at me. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not about to make a move on

some pregnant chick. Either get in or get out—I don’t care.”

My mouth fell open. “Oh… you think I think…” My voice quivered, so I stopped and

tried another tactic. “I don’t…” More quivers. I forced out the only response I could manage.

“Whatever.” I snatched my heels off the floor, ready to go home.

“Wait. What are you doing?” Theo scrubbed his hand over his face. “Don’t go.” His tone

softened. “I shouldn’t be alone right now.” He was giving me those big, puppy-dog eyes, but I

could see his smirk.

“What? Now you want me to stay?” No more quivering. The words flowed when the

focus was on him. “What’s with you?” I itched to make a run for it, but even so, he intrigued me.

“Cut a guy some slack, will you? My social graces are rusty.”

“Oh, please! I’ve been warned not to give you anything that might resemble sympathy.”

“I don’t want your pity.” A spark flared in his eyes. “Are you always this sassy, or is your

condition playing with your hormones?” He had a full-on grin, his white teeth gleaming.

His audacity got the best of me. “Shut up, or I’m going to take your crutches when I

leave.”

My threat only made Theo roar with laughter, infuriating me more.

“You’re a bad girl, teasing a hurt man. Just get in bed—you look tired. I’ll leave, if you

really want me to.”

I gave in because he was right: I was worn out. “No, don’t go.” I dropped my shoes, went

to the bed, pulled back the covers, and climbed in, staying as far away from him as I comfortably

could. “Let’s call a truce. I’ll stay over here, you stay over there.” I settled the plush bedding

around me and rolled over to face his direction. The visible side of his body was flawless.

“Fine, but you better not snore or I’m going to flatten a pillow over your head.”

I stifled a giggle. “You’re not at all what I expected.”

He jerked his head toward me, eyeing me suspiciously. “What did you expect?”

“I just thought a war hero would be nice.” I yawned.

“I’m not nice enough for you?” His voice, low and smooth, did nothing to hide his

amusement.

I relaxed, sinking in the mattress. “No, you’re a total asshole.”

The bed shook with his laughter. “Well, at least you’re honest, but don’t call me a hero.”

I heard the smile in his tone, but my eyes were closed. I really should have just stayed in

bed today, I thought, drifting off to sleep.

***

My eyes were open before I realized I was awake. Theo, bathed in moonlight, lay

stretched out on top of the covers next to me.

“You don’t have a ring on.” He searched my eyes.

“I gave it back when I cancelled the wedding. Bradley wanted me to keep it…” I looked

at my bare hand in the dim room. My ring finger felt naked without the karat-and-a-half,

princess-cut diamond. Sometimes I still caught myself rubbing the area, searching for the

phantom ring. “But I couldn’t.”

“So what, you didn’t want a shotgun wedding?”

“Wait. Bradley’s not the father.” I cringed as soon as the words left my mouth.

His eyes twinkled in the moonlight, and he grinned again.

“So you are a bad girl.”

About Claire Ashby

 

Claire Ashby was born and raised in the heart of Atlanta. At a young age, she began keeping journals and over time embellished the details of her quiet days. Eventually, she let go of reality altogether and delved completely into the world of fiction.

When she’s not reading or writing, she spends her time watching extreme survival shows and taking long walks after nightfall. She has an unnatural love of high places, but still regrets the time she skydived solo. She believes some things are better left to the imagination. She resides in Austin with her family and a pack of wild dogs.

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My Review

Megan Micheals has been through alot lately.  She owns a book store with her twin brother, Steve.  Steve and her are immensely close and always have been.  She was engaged to be married but called it off because she has suspicions about her fiance who was always away because of his job.  When he started the job he said he wouldn't be gone much but it turned out more to be he wasn't home much.  When she would call a girl would always answer.  She became suspicious and figured if you were always wondering it wouldn't make a good marriage.  Then after she called it off she reconnected through facebook to her first love.  He was separated from his wife and they started talking and then eventually went away for a fun spontaneous weekend were they spelt together and realized it was a mistake.  Only from that one mistake she got pregnant.  Now she has been hiding it from everyone except her best friend, Ellie who is also pregnant. One night she goes to Ellie's for a party to celebrate Ellie's husbands brother Theo coming home from Afghanistan.  She can't seem to take her eyes off Theo and not for the same reason as everyone else.  Theo was badly injured.  He has burns and if missing one of his legs.  She is drawn to Theo and wants to know all about him.  They start a friendship that turns into something more for both of them.  Theo doesn't care that the baby isn't his.  He loves it and Megan just the same.  But, when things don't go so smoothly in Theo recovery he starts to pull away.  Will Megan be able to help Theo in his recovery or will his troubles pull them both down?  Megan has enough problems on her own does she really need adding Theo and his to hers?  Will love be enough or will it tear them both down?

I loved this book as soon as I started reading it.  Theo and Megan has interesting stories all on their own, but their story together is fantastic.  They have this connected right away and are drawn to each other.  They both want to comfort each other and in turn are helping themselves.  Theo really helps Megan with the pregnancy and to stop hiding it.  Megan has lots of issues thinking that she isn't good enough for anyone and this plagues her in her relationship with Theo as well.  Theo hates that he isn't the same person anymore.  He has changed from all the physical injuries he has sustained.  He is trying to learn who he is again.  Meeting Megan has helped him to really try and be who he wants to be.  I would love to read more about Megan and Theo.  I will be looking for more books by this author to read in the future.  This book was well written with engaging characters. 

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