Taking his dismissal in the manner he intended, she smiled in return. “I’ve never been fired from a job before.”
“Never?”
“I’m an exceptional employee. Every boss I’ve ever worked for has given me glowing performance reviews.”
“Of course they have,” he murmured in a fond tone.
Linc opened his car door and started to get out but then noticed that she hadn’t moved. He reached out and caught her hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Come on.”
She slipped from the car and went to stand on the brick walkway that stretched from the driveway to the front door while Linc got Honey from her car seat. He moved with confidence and care, having done this dozens of times.
Claire then realized how long this moment had been coming. She just hadn’t seen it. Linc had never been just her employer. He’d been her friend. Someone who cared about her and Honey, who’d invited himself into her life.
This flash of insight bolstered her courage. She would face his mother with her head high, confident in the knowledge that she was the woman he loved and intended to marry.
“It’s about time you arrived,” Bettina called from the living room. “Sawyer tells me you two are engaged.”
Claire glanced at Linc as the three of them crossed the threshold and entered the room. The next ten minutes would tell her how the rest of her life would play out. Linc gave her a reassuring smile before answering his mother.
“We are, indeed,” Linc said, his satisfaction bolstering Claire.
If this amazing man loved her, she could face whatever the future held.
“Wonderful.” Bettina got to her feet as they neared and her gaze met Claire’s. She held out her arms and Claire hesitated only a second before stepping into the older woman’s embrace. “I just know you and Linc will be so very happy together,” she whispered, giving Claire a hard hug before letting her go.
“Thank you,” Claire murmured, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions.
Bettina sat down as Dolly appeared with a bottle of champagne and crystal flutes.
“We are going to plan the most lavish wedding this town has seen in years,” Linc’s mother stated. “Claire will have a dozen bridesmaids and the most expensive gown we can find.”
While Bettina began mulling over ideas for the venue and potential wedding planners, Claire sipped her champagne and held Linc’s hand. A surge of fondness and belonging flooded her as she realized the acceptance and family she’d craved for so long were going to be hers.
“Thank you,” she murmured, resting her head on his arm.
“For what?”
“Making me a part of your family. I love you so much.” She tilted her head back and met his gaze. “I never thought I could be as happy as I am right now.”
“I’m the lucky one. We belong together. You and Honey make my life complete.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“I like belonging with you,” she agreed, thinking how the Robbins family had come full circle now that she’d returned to Charleston.
She couldn’t wait until she and Linc were alone so she could share with him what Sawyer had found out. Yet as excited as she was by the news that she had a connection to the Charleston elite, it no longer determined who she was. For that, all she needed to do was gaze into Linc’s blue eyes to see her true self reflected there. His love was all she needed to accept that she was exactly where she should be.
* * * * *
If you liked this story of passion
and scandal from Cat Schield,
don’t miss her LAS VEGAS NIGHTS series!
AT ODDS WITH THE HEIRESS
A MERGER BY MARRIAGE
A TASTE OF TEMPTATION
A GAME OF SEDUCTION
LITTLE SECRET, RED HOT SCANDAL
THE HEIR AFFAIR
Available now from Harlequin Desire!
* * *
And don’t miss the next
BILLIONAIRES AND BABIES story:
THE ILLEGITIMATE BILLIONAIRE
by USA TODAY bestselling author
Barbara Dunlop
Available May 2018!
* * *
If you’re on Twitter,
tell us what you think of Harlequin Desire!
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE TEXAN’S WEDDING ESCAPE by Charlene Sands.
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Desire story.
You want to leave behind the everyday! Harlequin Desire stories feature sexy, romantic heroes who have it all: wealth, status, incredible good looks...everything but the right woman. Add some secrets, maybe a scandal, and start turning pages!
Enjoy six new stories from Harlequin Desire every month!
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!
Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.
Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice
OR
EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.
Click here to join for FREE
Or visit us online to register at
Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.
The Texan's Wedding Escape
by Charlene Sands
One
He hit Delete on his laptop, wiping out names and phone numbers of the women he’d dated, wanted to date or just plain thought were freaking gorgeous. Instantly, Cooper Stone’s fun-loving, party-till-you-drop days were over, ended by a finger stroke on the keyboard. It was equivalent to burning his little black book, only nobody carried a little black book anymore. Things had gotten too damn sophisticated, but the end result was the same. Cooper Stone was out of the running. It was a long time coming, six months to be exact.
He wouldn’t miss those names.
Not like he missed his buddy, Tony Abbott.
One minute he was laughing alongside him in the car, their heads thrown back, enjoying life to the fullest, and the next, he was silenced by the stony sound of death. The quiet in that moment still rang in Cooper’s head, still tormented him. Everything
