Mer Tales 01 - Everblue

mouth went dry. Was this really happening? The worst and best moment of my life?
    I peered down at him, then at the ring again. Married? Goosebumps covered my skin. I’d be Mrs. Helton. Visions of a minister asking us to repeat vows and our family and friends in the audience filtered in my mind. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else—ever.
    “ Yes,” I choked out. “Of course. Yes!”
    He slid the ring onto my finger and it fit perfectly. I studied my shaking hand through blurred vision.
    “ A red stone for my ginger girl.”
    I glanced back up. Tears trailed down his cheek. He scooped me into another tight embrace and I squeezed back with all my might. If I held on, he couldn’t leave, he wouldn’t go.
    “ We’ll be together soon,” he whispered in my ear. “Please be strong for me.”
    I fought back the sob stuck in my throat. “It’s going to kill me.”
    He took my cheeks within his hands. “Me, too, but it’ll be worth it. I promise. I’ll call you every day.”
    “ You’d better,” I said and his lips came crashing into mine.
    We devoured each other, our gasps for air few and far between. Our hands hungrily explored each other, tugging and pulling to fill the ache of the inevitable. If we stopped, then our bliss would be over and the longest wait of our lives would start. His hands grasped at my cheeks, at my neck, sliding across the tears staining my skin. Though I didn’t want to stop, our kiss wasn’t going to prevent the mermen from coming. I had to make a decision. Either I’d let this consume me and cause madness, or I’d decide to endure. I already knew what the madness felt like. This time, I needed to be stronger. And he was worth every second I had to wait.
    We pulled back, both of us holding each other’s cheeks. We studied each other’s eyes, both red, swirling with anxiety.
    “ I love you,” he said again.
    “ I love you, too,” I said.
    And inside, I let go.

    The story continues with Evergreen, book #2 of Mer Tales.
    Available Now!

Excerpt of EVERGREEN

1
:::
ASH
Monday night, April 11th

    I clutched Fin’s first letter against my chest and crumpled onto my bed. He’d written yesterday’s date—Sunday, April 10th—across the top, the day he left me. Already, something inside my soul had died and this ritual became crystal clear. Daily there’d only be a few minutes of bliss as I ripped open the envelope that filled my soul with his words. A temporary reprieve lasting as long as it took to read the letter. Then I’d be left, longing for more.
    Our bond, sealed the day Fin kissed me, rubbed like a piece of glass lodged within the tender folds of my heart, needling its way further inside with each labored beat. He’d vowed to write, text, and call whenever he could until I reunited with him in Florida in a few months, but would that work? I could already see we’d be attached to the phone until we were together again. Would that keep us sane?
    I traced my finger over the ink, wishing his hands were touching me.
    “ I miss you, Fin,” I whispered, hoping God would help me deal with this in some way.
    And I’d thought the countdown to college was unbearable before.

    My Dear sweet Ashlyn,
    We’ve only left one another, and I had to write you. Your salty tears are still on my lips, and I smell you on my clothes. How will I get through this? Thank you for the pictures and the note. I’m going to wear both, reading and staring at your beautiful face all day. You’re like the sun… bright and warm. They’ll keep me rational until you are in my arms once again.
    I hope this letter finds you soon. Once I finish writing, I’m forcing my dad to stop so I can mail it. I want you to have this by tomorrow. Hitting Phoenix today is the plan. I’m not looking forward to thirteen hours of traveling with my parents, but with all our stuff and towing my Jeep, we really couldn’t fly. I’m glad I could convince them to upgrade to an iPhone on the way out, though.
    On the map, I found a reservoir off the freeway for us to stay at. Let’s hope it’s decent. Only traveling during the daytime will make the trip longer, but Dad can’t exactly drive with his fins. I know we’ll talk all about this later, but I can’t wait to hear your voice. It already feels like years have passed when it’s only been minutes.
    The desire to run my fingers through your hair and bring your lips to mine is haunting me. I miss you more than words can say. My parents are going to