Matt Archer: Redemption Part 35

I scooped her up, always quick to move at her command. "Demanding little critter, aren't you, Katie-bug?"

She shook her brown curls before give me a big, wet smacker right on the chin. "I wuv you!"

Still having trouble with her L's and missing a couple of front teeth wasn't helping her much. But Katie was such a sweetheart, my heart melted straight through. "I wuv you, too. How's that horse working out for you?"

Katie giggled and held up her stuffed pony. It was half as big as she was and from what I'd heard, she refused to leave the house without it. "He's good. I fed him some hay so he wouldn't whinny during your fraduwation."

"Graduation, honey," Uncle Mike said.

I grinned at him. "And you thought I meant a real pony."

Aunt Julie kissed my cheek. "All I can say is thank G.o.d. The thought of cleaning up after a pony in addition to the twins made my head hurt."

Said twins-Brent and Toby-proceeded to blow spit bubbles at each other in their stroller. I had a feeling they were showing off for their mom. "Yeah, I can imagine a pair of two-year-olds qualifies as a hazmat event."

"You have no idea," Uncle Mike said. "Yesterday, I found a dirty diaper in-"

"And that's not a story we want you to finish here. Or ever," Mom said. She nodded at Dad making his way through the crowd. "I wondered where he wandered off to."

"I'm proud of you, son," Dad said. Smiling, he shook my hand, then took his place by Mom. She blushed and smacked his arm. I couldn't be sure, but I thought he pinched her a.s.s.

Finally, Ella came, her auburn hair blowing in the breeze. I stared for a moment, enjoying the view. She caught me gawking and rolled her eyes, but smiled too. Some things never changed.

"Hey, beautiful," I said. "Everything set with the new school?"

"Yes. The princ.i.p.al even showed me my cla.s.sroom. Teacher prep starts the last week of August." She twisted her engagement ring around her finger. "Sorry to miss the party last night. You packed?"

"Yeah. Will said he'll help get us moved. I think that means he's paying movers to hand-wrap all our c.r.a.p and carry it to Maryland on the backs of golden llamas," I said. "b.a.s.t.a.r.d."

"Well, we have one thing he doesn't-the summer off. He has to go to training camp." Ella wound her hands around my neck. "Two weeks from now, we'll be in Hawaii."

I kissed her, long and hard, ignoring the catcalls from the cadets milling around. "Wearing as little as humanly possible."

"Public beaches frown on that kind of thing," she whispered.

"Not where we're staying. The general freed up some private house the government owns." I ran my fingers through her hair. "Giving us a decent honeymoon was the least they could do."

She kissed me again as a large ma.s.s blocked out the sun.

"Break it up, break it up." Will dropped a two-ton arm around my shoulders. "Dude, I'm starving."

"Yeah," I said. "Me, too."

Will wrapped his other arm around Penn's waist. He had to stoop to do it and she smacked him in the side. "When haven't you been starving?"

Ella's laugh rang out. "Never."

Bickering while trying to defend our honor as men, we followed my family to the parking lot. It hit me hard then, watching Mike push the twins in their stroller with Katie skipping behind. My whole life was ahead of me, and it looked so bright-bright as a star.

The knife buzzed in my jacket pocket.

And somewhere, Mamie smiled.

-the end-.

Acknowledgements.

When I started on this journey, I wasn't even sure how many books would be in the series. All I had was an idea, a great character, a beginning and an ending. There have been a lot of ups and downs in this process, but a huge number of people have stuck with me the whole way, and I offer them my humblest, heartfelt thanks: First, you-the readers. From the artwork, the emails, the cheerleading, and the offers of chocolate to the cause, you've been the reason I was able to keep going. Matt's story wasn't always for the faint of heart, so I thank you, and salute you, for sticking with us both.

Second, the professionals who make the magic happen. My editor, Ca.s.sandra Marshall, has done wonders helping shape the final drafts of all five books. My cover design team, Streetlight Graphics, led by Glendon Haddix, has created some of the most hauntingly beautiful covers I could ever ask for. The Redemption cover may be my favorite of the lot, but each has been amazing.

Third, my tireless, wonderful crew of crit-partners and beta readers. From those who read early drafts of Monster Hunter on OWW, to the readers who read multiple versions of every single book, thank you. I'd especially like to thank J. R. Hochman, Lindsay Buroker, Becca Andre, Arthur Stewart, Crash Froelich, Ladonna Watkins, Elizabeth Hull, Rebecca Smotherman, Jeanne Haskin, Maria McConnaughy, Deanna Stanley, Liz Coley, and my most awesome proofreader, Ryan Highley. You guys are the best. Seriously.

Fourth, to all the experts who've helped me with military details. In particular, Captain Jeremiah Parker. The epilogue was for you. And to all the supporters of the Kickstarter campaign to launch Monster Hunter as an audiobook. My special thanks go to Amy and Ben Blakeney. (Hmm, wonder where I got that character's name?) Finally, my family has stood by me during every mood swing, every absent-minded moment, every frantic rush during launch week, and every good (and bad) review. My children, Tanner and Alexandra, have grown from elementary school kids to young adults during this process, and I'm so proud of their good hearts and their love for all things geek. My father gave me my start. Without him, Matt never would've made it past the first book. My sister, who I love as much as Matt loves Mamie, has been Matt's number one marketer since before the first book even came out.

And, Ryan. I could fill an entire book with my grat.i.tude for everything you've done to make my dream come true. Instead, I'll simply say I love you as much as there are stars in the sky.

Other Books by Kendra C. Highley.

The Matt Archer Series:.

MATT ARCHER: MONSTER HUNTER (MA1).

MATT ARCHER: MONSTER SUMMER (MA1.5).

MATT ARCHER: BLADE'S EDGE (MA2) MATT ARCHER: LEGEND (MA3).

MATT ARCHER: BLOODLINES (MA4).

MATT ARCHER: REDEMPTION (MA5).

Contemporary YA.

SIDELINED (Entangled Ember, 2013).

Author's Note:.

Additional information about the series, including publication announcements and other exclusive content, can be found on www.matt-archer.com. Subscribe to the newsletter to ensure you don't miss any of the news!

Also, feedback is always welcome in the form of reviews or via the contact page on the website. I really love reviews, so if you have five minutes to write one on your favorite bookseller's site, that would rock my world! Thanks for reading, and beware of monsters ...

About the Author.

Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most crucial job. She believes chocolate is a basic human right, running a 10k is harder than it sounds, and that everyone should learn to drive a stick-s.h.i.+ft. She loves monsters, vacations, baking and listening to bad electronica.

More information about the Matt Archer universe, news, and the occasional new short story can be found on Matt's website: www.matt-archer.com.

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