by Jenna Brandt
“Don’t I know it,” Samuel lamented. “Just the other day, I saw that one of the tabloids was reporting that I had a secret baby. That was news to me. I’ve been very, very good at making sure that never happened to me.”
“Which is surprising, considering how you have a new girlfriend—or two, or three—a week.”
“Hey now, don’t judge me. Just because you don’t make time for the fairer sex.”
“Sorry I’m not interested in showing off new arm candy on a regular basis. I have no desire to get mixed up with all of what comes with that many women.”
“You could always just settle for one,” Samuel pointed out as they stopped outside his dressing room.
“With all I have going on, I’m better off on my own. I wouldn’t expect a woman to want to put up with my crazy schedule.” Then after glancing down at his Rolex watch, Wade added, “Speaking of my tight schedule, I have to change and head to my next appointment.”
“Really? I was hoping you would go out to dinner with me and a few of my friends. You should take the night off. You know what they say about all work and no play…”
“I do, but it doesn’t change the fact that I have an appointment I can’t get out of.”
“You’re Wade McAllister; you can get out of anything you want to. The problem is, you don’t want to.”
“Funny, you think that’s the case, but even I have things I can’t get out of. How about we rain check dinner for another time?”
Samuel shrugged, then reached out and opened the door. “I won’t hold my breath; I know how you are. Never a moment for pleasure; always work, work, work.”
“What can I say, I have a strong work ethic,” Wade said, even though he knew his friend wouldn’t understand. Samuel lucked into his fame, and though he enjoyed it, he wasn’t driven to obtain more like Wade was. Patting his friend on the back, Wade added, “I appreciate you coming on the show today. We’ll talk soon.”
Wade slipped into his own dressing room. Quickly he switched out of his custom chef’s apron marked with the show’s logo, then put on a fresh navy-blue suit. His phone dinged, reminding him that he had a half hour to make it across town. He didn’t want to be late for his appointment with his realtor, who was helping him acquire the perfectly located building for his next high-end pastry shop in the heart of Manhattan.
As Wade climbed into the backseat of his Town Car, he went over the plans in his head for his next decadent dessert destination. He planned for his latest endeavor to attract both locals and tourists alike. He already had a dozen shops, but he figured one more couldn’t hurt. He liked the idea of having a baker’s dozen. Besides, between his signature line of bakeware, pastry essentials, and custom cake designers that worked for him, his empire was secure. If that was the case, however, why did he feel like something was still missing?
Though he had everything he could ever want at his fingertips, he still felt like he needed more. He didn’t like admitting that to himself, but it was true none-the-less. Through the countless years of trying anything and everything, he hadn’t managed to find a way to make the void disappear from his heart. He wished he could figure out why he felt the way he did. He hoped this new shop would be what would make the difference.
Two hours later, Wade’s meeting was over and he was headed home to his Manhattan penthouse on the Upper Westside. He made his way inside and slipped out of his suit and into a pair of sweats and t-shirt. The media would have a field day if they saw him dressed like that, but since he lived alone and on the twentieth floor, he figured he could take the chance and wear comfortable clothes.
He picked up his laptop and made his way into the kitchen, where he poured himself a glass of wine before making his way over to his couch. He flopped down and propped his computer on his lap. He clicked the icon for his music app, starting his playlist of classic rock from where he had left off. Two hundred unopened emails were in his inbox, and he’d already checked it earlier in the morning. He didn’t get very far, before he noticed there was one from Samuel. Could it be a thank you for having him on the show? It was time stamped from earlier in the day, making that seem unlikely. He clicked the button to open it and read the contents.
Wade,
I knew you wouldn’t agree to go out with me tonight, so I sent this email ahead of time to prove how predictable you’ve become. You need some adventure in your life. Since your birthday is coming up, I decided I was going to give you a gift that would provide the opportunity to live for more than just work.
Attached is an exclusive invitation to the most elite, most private club in all of the world. The Billionaire Birthday Club is truly one of a kind. You won’t be disappointed if you decide to accept my gift, I promise.
Your Friend,
Samuel
A fancy black invitation with gold details and a diamond encrusted “B” was flashing at the bottom of the email. Wade debated about clicking it. On the one hand, he wasn’t one for surprises. He preferred to know exactly what he was getting into and weighed out all of his choices carefully before making decisions. On the other hand, Samuel had gone out of his way to give him this gift. It would be rude to not at least look at it and decide if it was something he was interested in. Wade clicked the button and it took him to a private site that had the following message:
Billionaire Birthday Club is an exclusive resort—for the billionaire who appears to have everything but secretly wants more. After filling out a confidential survey, a curated celebration is waiting on the island to make your birthday wishes come true!
He clicked the next button, which directed him to a questionnaire. He skimmed through the contents and quickly realized the list was created to find out what type of experience he would want. After a few moments of hesitation, he decided he didn’t have anything to lose and started filling out the form. Perhaps, this place could finally help him figure out what was missing in his life.
Grab your copy of The Billionaire’s Birthday Wish!
A Note from the Author
I hope you have enjoyed my book, The Billionaire’s Duty, and plan to continue to read the rest of the Second Chance Islands Series including The Billionaire’s Hideaway and The Billionaire’ Reunion as well as my other books. Your opinion and support matters, so I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. Without dedicated readers, a storyteller is lost. Thank you for investing in my stories. If you would like more info, please join my newsletter and get a free novella just for signing up for my Newsletter.
Happy Reading!
That’s not the End
Second Chance Islands Series
These standalone stories are sweet, clean billionaire romances designed to whisk you away. I believe in building a world that begins at the very core of what makes romance stories work – faith, hope, and love.
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Also by Jenna Brandt
Most Books are Free in Kindle Unlimited too!
Second Chance Islands Series-What’s better than billionaires on islands? How about billionaires finding second chances at life, love, and redemption while on one.
The Billionaire’s Repeat
The Billionaire’s Reunion
The Billionaire’s Hideaway
The Billionaire’s Duty
The Billionaire’s Christmas
Billionaire Birthday Club is an exclusive resort—for the billionaire who appears to have everything but secretly wants more. After filling out a confidential survey, a curated celebration is waiting on the island to make their birthday wishes come true!
The Billionaire’s Birthday Wish
The Billionaire’s Birthday Surprise
Billionaires of Manhattan Series
/> The billionaires that live in Manhattan and the women who love them. If you love epic dates, grand romantic gestures, and men in suits with hearts of gold, then these are books are perfect for you.
Waiting on the Billionaire
Nanny for the Billionaire
Merging with the Billionaire
(Entire series available on audiobook)
Disaster City Search and Rescue
Step into the world of Disaster City Search and Rescue, where officers, firefighters, military, and medics, train and work alongside each other with the dogs they love, to do the most dangerous job of all — help lost and injured victims find their way home.
The Girlfriend Rescue
The Wedding Rescue
The Billionaire Rescue
The Movie Star Rescue
The Best Friend Rescue
The Lawkeepers is a multi-author series alternating between historical westerns and contemporary westerns featuring law enforcement heroes that span multiple agencies and generations. Join bestselling author Jenna Brandt and many others as they weave captivating, sweet and inspirational stories of romance and suspense between the lawkeepers — and the women who love them. The Lawkeepers is a world like no other; a world where lawkeepers and heroes are honored with unforgettable stories, characters, and love. Jenna’s Lawkeeper books:
Contemporary
Lawfully Adored-K-9
Lawfully Wedded-K-9
Lawfully Treasured-SWAT
Lawfully Dashing-Female Cop/Christmas
Lawfully Devoted-Billionaire Bodyguard/K-9
Lawfully Heroic-Military Police
Lawfully Contemporary Box Set
Historical
Lawfully Loved-Texas Sheriff
Lawfully Wanted-Bounty Hunter
Lawfully Forgiven-Texas Ranger
Lawfully Avenged-US Marshal
Lawfully Covert-Spies
Lawfully Historical Box Set
Border Brides Series-centered around the Old West border towns and the brides who end up there looking for a new start.
Discreetly Matched
June’s Remedy
Becca’s Lost Love
Pinkerton Matchmaker Series-as female agents were few and far between, Mr. Gordon came up with the idea of expanding the detective agency by pairing qualified women with a male agent for training, guidance and undercover work. These women came from all demographics – some were looking for a new life, some seeking challenge, some wanting to pave the way for future generations of women. The only caveat – the women wouldn’t be a member of the Agency until their first assignment had been completed.
An Agent for Nadine
An Agent for Gwendolyn
The Civil War Brides Trilogy-during the bloodiest conflict on American soil, two families struggle in the South to not only survive but to thrive.
Saved by Faith
Freed by Hope
Healed by Grace
Mail Order Mistakes Series-mail order bride books about women venturing out West to make new lives for themselves. What happens when they decide to take a chance on love along the way?
Mail Order Misfit
Mail Order Misstep (coming soon)
Mail Order Miscast (coming soon)
Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies-mail order bride stories with a twist. What happens when a bride arrives pregnant or with a secret child? Find out in this all new series.
Mail Order Miranda
Mail Order Miriam
Silverpines Series-centered around the fictional town of Silverpines, Oregon, during the turn of the 20th century. When a disaster takes most of the men, the women are left to save the town by placing mail-order groom advertisements. Get to know the various lovable characters and their stories from some of todays bestselling historical authors.
Wanted: Tycoon
The Tycoon’s Sister
Bride Herder Series-take one failed rancher turned matchmaker and ten unexpected brides at once with no clue as to who wanted them. What could go wrong?
Herd to Please
The Window to the Heart Saga is a recountal of the epic journey of Lady Margaret, a young English noblewoman, who through many trials, obstacles, and tragedies, discovers her own inner strength, the sustaining force of faith in God, and the power of family and friends. In this three-part series, experience new places and cultures as the heroine travels from England to France and completes her adventures in America. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with an exceptionally gratifying conclusion.
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Spin-off Books Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Complete Collection Box Set
For more information about Jenna Brandt, signup for her Newsletter or visit her on any of her social media platforms:
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www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
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Acknowledgments
My writing journey would not be possible without those who supported me. Since I can remember, writing is the only thing I love to do, and my deepest desire is to share my talent with others.
First and foremost, I am eternally grateful to Jesus, my lord and savior, who created me with this “writing bug” DNA.
In addition, many thanks go to:
My husband, Dustin, and three daughters, Katie, Julie, and Nikki, for loving me and supporting me during all my late-night writing marathons and coffee-infused mornings.
My mother, Connie, for being my first and most honest critic, now and always. As a little girl, sleeping under your desk during late-night deadlines for the local paper showed me what being a dedicated writer looked like.
My angels in heaven: my grandmother, who passed away in 2001; my infant son, Dylan, who was taken by SIDS six years ago; and my father, who left us four years ago.
To Ginny Sterling and Jo Grafford, my best writing buddies, my comrades-in-arms, my sounding boards, my voices of reason, my partners in all things author. I love you ladies so much.
To my ARC Angels and Beta Bells for taking the time to read my story and give valuable feedback.
And lastly, but so important, to my dedicated readers, who have shared their love of my books with others, helping to spread the words about my stories. Your devotion means a great deal.
About the Author
Jenna Brandt is an international bestselling and award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance. Her historical books span from Victorian to Western eras and all of her books have elements of romance, suspense and faith. She has her own best-selling historical series, Window to the Heart Saga and Civil War Brides, as well as contemporary series, Billionaires of Manhattan and Second Chance Islands. Additionally, she’s created two best-selling multi-author series, The Lawkeepers and Disaster City Search and Rescue based off the life of her husband in law enforcement as well as Billionaire Birthday Club. Both of her books, Waiting on the Billionaire and Lawfully Treasured, were voted into the Top 50 Indie Books of 2018 on Readfreely.com.
She’s been an avid r
eader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. She’s been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers, and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bethany College where she was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper. Her first blog was published on The Mighty website, Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News, CNN Health, and Good Morning America websites. She’s also a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) association.
Writing is her passion, but she also enjoys date nights with her hubby, cooking from scratch, watching movies on Netflix, reading books by her author friends, and engaging in social media with her readers. Her three young daughters keep her busy with Girl Scout activities, going to the mall, and playing at the park where they live in the Central Valley of California. She summers on the Golden Central Coast where she finds endless inspiration for her romance books. She’s also active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team.