The Holiday Secret (Castle Falls Book 4)

by Kathryn Springer

  Ellery knew her parents would approve.

  She’d been driving back and forth all spring, but the more time she spent in Castle Falls, the more difficult it was to leave. She divided her time between Sunni’s home and the inn. Two places where her favorite people in the world resided.

  “That’s Eagle Rock.” Aiden pointed to a rock wall beyond the bend of the river. “We don’t have time to climb it today.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  Aiden saw right through her disappointed sigh and grinned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Ready to head back?”

  Ellery nodded.

  Carter was working today, but her heart still lifted at the thought of spending some time with him and Bea at the end of his shift.

  “Ready.” She deliberately splashed Aiden with her paddle as she turned the canoe. When he ducked to avoid the spray, Ellery dug in and glided ahead of him.

  “Race you!”

  Ellery knew her twin would gain on her in a matter of seconds. She looked over her shoulder and realized he wasn’t even trying. Ellery followed his gaze and her mouth dropped open.

  Dozens of helium balloons lined the shoreline, swaying back and forth in time like colorful reeds. Interspersed among them were the people whose lives had become knit to Ellery’s over the past few months.

  Sunni stood beside Karen and...Jameson? The attorney had visited Castle Falls to meet Ellery’s brothers right after the New Year. They’d won him over immediately, of course, and it was Jameson who’d convinced the director of the Holt-McIntyre Agency to turn over Ellery’s file and share anything she knew about the family’s history.

  Carter had been seated at Ellery’s side when she and her brothers found out that Carla and Darren Kane had been estranged when Ellery and Aiden were born. Darren had turned up several months later and convinced Carla to take him back, but she hadn’t told him about Ellery. Just like she hadn’t told Ray and Candace Marshall about Brendan and Liam, either. The couple had had no idea the infant girl they’d taken in had two older brothers as well as a twin.

  It was bittersweet, finding out that her adoptive parents had, in fact, approached Carla about adopting Aiden, too. But their biological mother had been afraid of Darren’s reaction and refused to consider it.

  According to the director, Ray and Candace had lived in constant fear that Carla would change her mind and want Ellery back. Shortly before Carla signed the adoption papers, she and Darren Kane were arrested for drug possession.

  When the Marshalls visited Carla in jail, not only did she insist on going ahead with a closed adoption, she made Candace and Ray promise they wouldn’t tell Ellery anything about her biological family. Carla wanted Ellery to have the kind of opportunities she’d never been given.

  Your parents took that promise as seriously as the one they made to love and care for you, the agency director had told Ellery.

  Knowing that had given Ellery a sense of peace. So did knowing that God had brought the family together again.

  “Wow.” A grin broke across Aiden’s face as he spotted Maddie in the middle of the throng gathered on the riverbank. The couple had set the date for an autumn wedding, a year from the day they’d officially met at the library.

  Liam and Anna stood next to them, the twins at their side, jumping up and down. Brendan’s arm was around Lily’s waist, his hand resting on her rounded tummy. They’d made the announcement a month ago, and everyone was thrilled there would be another addition to the family by next Christmas.

  Joy washed over Ellery as she saw a dark-haired man and a little girl waving to her from the riverbank.

  She twisted to face Aiden. “Did you know about this?”

  “Not a clue,” he said cheerfully. “But where there are balloons and people, there’s usually cake. And ice cream.”

  His canoe shot ahead of hers, cutting through the water with barely a ripple. Ellery was laughing so hard she could barely keep up.

  Her canoe scraped against the sandy bottom in the shallows and Carter was already there, reaching for her hand.

  “Happy birthday.”

  Carter’s whisper sent a shiver tumbling down Ellery’s spine.

  She was happy.

  Sunni had asked Ellery to come over for a cookout in honor of her and Aiden’s twenty-sixth birthdays, but she’d never imagined the invitation had been extended to their friends and family.

  “I thought you had to work today.”

  “My shift got changed.” Carter paused. “Permanently.”

  “You transferred to the investigation unit? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I wanted to wait until it was official.”

  Ellery scooped Bea up in her arms. “This day is full of surprises.”

  Carter pressed a quick kiss against Ellery’s temple.

  “It isn’t over yet.”

  * * *

  Carter didn’t mind sharing Ellery. He loved watching her interact with her brothers. Join in an impromptu game of tag with Bea and Anna’s twins. Argue with Aiden over who should get the last piece of birthday cake.

  But the party had ended a few hours ago and when they’d returned to the inn, the sun was setting over the pond. And Carter couldn’t wait to be alone with Ellery.

  “I think Bea and I will wander down to the barn and pay Sugar a visit,” Karen announced, almost as if she’d read his mind.

  Bea, who’d almost fallen asleep on the drive home, perked up at the words. “I’ll get some carrots!”

  She scampered from the room and Carter wondered if he’d imagined the sparkle in Karen’s eyes before she followed.

  He turned to Ellery. “Walk with me?”

  She tucked her arm through his. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  They stepped outside and Carter steered her toward the orchard. The apple blossoms were in bloom, adding a touch of sweetness to the air.

  He’d driven through minefields and never been this nervous.

  Carter’s fingers closed around the small velvet jewelry box in his pocket.

  He’d wanted to propose to Ellery somewhere special. A place that marked the beginning of what Carter hoped, no, prayed, would be a lifetime together.

  Earlier that morning, he’d been talking to God about Ellery and the future and felt what could only have been a divine tap on his shoulder. He’d looked out the window at the orchard. A reminder that something amazing could happen after a long winter, even the winter in a man’s soul.

  Carter stopped under the canopy of branches and Ellery looked at him quizzically.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No...but I wanted to get this right.”

  * * *

  Ellery’s heart nearly stopped beating when Carter went down on one knee. He opened a small jewelry box, revealing a stunning princess-cut diamond.

  “Will you marry me, Ellery? I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want the sunrises and sunsets and everything in between. I know you found your brothers a few months ago, but I want us to be a family, too.”

  Ellery pressed her hand against her mouth. “Yes.” She breathed the word. “Yes.”

  Carter slid the ring on her finger and planted a kiss on the inside of her wrist before he rose to his feet again.

  Ellery launched herself into his arms and felt the steady thump of his heart against hers.

  “I love you,” Carter whispered. “Words can’t describe how much.”

  She peeked up at him under her lashes. “Then maybe you should show me.”

  Carter’s slow smile made Ellery’s pulse skip. He bent his head and claimed her lips in a tender kiss filled with passion and promises and a lifetime of wishes that Ellery couldn’t wait to come true.

  When they finally broke apart, Carter looked a little dazed.

  “Is tomorrow too so
on for a wedding?” he asked.

  “No,” Ellery said promptly, making Carter laugh.

  She loved to hear him laugh.

  “Other people are going to weigh in on that decision, I have no doubt...” Carter paused. Shook his head. “And it looks like those people are here.”

  Ellery followed his gaze. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes were parked in front of the inn.

  “Either the Tanners decided to show up a week early for their reunion,” Carter said drily, “or we have a mole in the family.”

  Ellery laughed, knowing Carter’s reaction was all for show.

  “Two celebrations in one weekend.” She wound her arms around his neck and planted another lingering kiss on his lips. “Do you think there’s cake?”

  Carter caught her hand, tucked it under his arm. “You’ve been hanging out with Aiden too much.”

  Everyone had gathered in the living room and Bea catapulted off the sofa when she saw them in the doorway.

  “You’re back!”

  “And so is everyone else,” Carter murmured.

  Ellery nudged him with her elbow and dutifully held out her hand. The women crowded around them and Bea wriggled in between Sunni and Karen.

  “I helped Daddy pick it out,” she announced. “But I couldn’t tell anyone ’cause it was a secret.”

  Aiden winked at Ellery. “We kept it a secret, too.”

  “You knew about this?”

  “Carter asked for our blessing.” Brendan worked his way into the circle and gave her a hug. “We haven’t decided where he fits in the family hierarchy yet, though, have we, Liam?”

  “Nope.” Her middle brother shook Carter’s hand and planted a kiss on Ellery’s cheek.

  Carter grinned, not the least bit intimidated by her brothers.

  “The only place I want to be is at Ellery’s side.”

  Ellery smiled up at her future husband.

  That sounded perfect to her, too.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed this story,

  look for the other Castle Falls books

  by Kathryn Springer:

  The Bachelor Next Door

  The Bachelor’s Twins

  The Bachelor’s Perfect Match

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Twin Bargain by Lisa Carter.

  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

  Dear Reader,

  At the beginning of the series, I had no idea that Ellery Marshall, the Kanes’ missing sister, would end up with a story of her own. And of course it had to take place during Christmas, my favorite time of the year. And include a handsome, slightly Scrooge-like county deputy and his adorable five-year-old daughter.

  Because sometimes it’s the gifts we aren’t expecting that turn out to be the most precious.

  It’s my prayer that, like Ellery and Carter, you find peace and joy in knowing that God has already given us the greatest gift of all. The gift of His son, Jesus.

  I hope you enjoyed your visit to Castle Falls! Please drop by my website at kathrynspringer.com and say hello or check out my Facebook page at Facebook.com/kathrynspringerauthor.

  Walk in joy,

  Kathryn Springer

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

  Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  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

  www.HarlequinMyRewards.com

  Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.

  The Twin Bargain

  by Lisa Carter

  Chapter One

  Ethan Green had feared this day coming, almost as long as he could remember.

  The double glass doors whooshed shut behind him. An antiseptic smell assaulted his nostrils. On the intercom, someone paged a doctor. An orderly pushed a squeaky cart past Ethan.

  Heart pounding, he headed straight for the information desk. “Can you give me the room number for ErmaJean Hicks, please?”

  “I’ll be with you in a minute.” The volunteer answered the ringing phone. “Truelove Medical Center...” Ignoring him, the woman scrolled through the computer monitor.

  He bit back his frustration. Beads of sweat peppered his forehead. A dozen scenarios, each one worse than the last, flashed through his brain. What had happened to Grandma Hicks?

  A broken hip? A stroke? A heart attack?

  Suppose she’d passed? Suppose he’d missed saying goodbye? Suppose he never got to tell her how much he—

  “Ethan? Is that you?”

  Amber Fleming’s blue eyes—the same blue as her hospital scrubs—widened and locked on to his. Something entirely painful zinged inside his chest.

  Her hair the color of winter wheat, she remained as tall—or in her case as small—as he remembered. But other than her ponytail, the pesky tagalong he recalled from high school was long gone. A pink stethoscope draped around her neck, she looked very professional.

  Ethan flushed. “You’re a nurse?”

  She touched the photo ID badge clipped to her tunic. “Nursing student.” She tilted her head, setting the ponytail aquiver. “Matt didn’t tell you?”

  Ethan tore his gaze from the silky blond hair brushing her shoulder. “No, he didn’t.”

  He and Amber’s older brother had been best friends since they were kids. Ethan wondered what else Matt had failed to mention. His eyes cut to the bare finger of her left hand. No ring.

  What was with him? This was Matt’s little sister. This was Amber.

  He cleared his throat. “GeorgeAnne Allen left me a message this morning to drop everything and come to Truelove. She didn’t say what happened, only that my grandmother had been admitted to the hospital.”

  “It must’ve taken you all day to get to the mountains from the coast.” Amber’s eyes darted to the volunteer, still on the phone. “I was headed to see Miss ErmaJean. Let me take you there.”

  He swallowed. “Tell me the truth, Amber. Is Grandma dying?”

  Amber laid her hand on his leather jacket. “She’s going to be fine, Ethan.” She led him through a pair of automatic doors. “Miss ErmaJean took a tumble at her house and broke her leg.”

  Ethan followed Amber down the white-tiled corridor. “But she’s going to be okay?”

  “Her leg has already been cast.” Amber pushed the elevator button. “But when she fell, she also hit her head. The doctor wants to keep her at the hospital for a few days as a precaution.”

  The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside.

  “I want to talk to her doctor.”

  Amber glanced at her watch. “Unfortunately, he’s probably left for the day, but if you talk to the duty nurse, she can put you in touch with him. Same info I’ve already given you, though.”

  He frowned. “Why were you informed about my grandmother’s condition a
nd not me?”

  Pressing the third-floor button, she pursed her lips. “He told me because I was here.”

  He stiffened at her implied rebuke.

  The elevator doors closed.

  “I got here as soon as I could.”

  Ascending, the elevator lurched.

  She crossed her arms. “When was the last time you visited Truelove? It’s been ten years, right?”

  He didn’t remember Amber being this bossy or pushy. “I was deployed.”

  “But you’ve been out of the Marines for four months, Ethan.”

  “Not visiting Truelove isn’t the same as not seeing Grandma. She’s visited me in Wilmington several times.” He jutted his jaw. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

  “Where were you when Miss ErmaJean got the flu? When her identity was stolen? When—”

  “I get it, Amber,” he growled. “Since I returned to North Carolina, I could’ve been around more, but I’ve been looking for work.”

  Elevator dinging, the doors opened onto the third floor.

  She stepped out. “But not looking where you have family and friends?”

  He followed on her heels. “You know how I feel about this one-stoplight town. Grandma Hicks understands. Why didn’t she call me when the other stuff happened?”

  “Because your grandmother doesn’t want to infringe on your life.” Amber glared. “She doesn’t want to relinquish her independence or be a burden.”

  He scowled back. “Grandma Hicks isn’t a burden. She knows I’d do anything to help her.”

  “Here’s your chance to prove it. Until she’s mobile again, she is in no shape to live alone.”

  He wasn’t used to Amber being ticked with him. When they were younger, she’d sort of had a crush on him. He never acted on it because she was Matt’s little sister. Kind of an unspoken guy rule. That and he enjoyed breathing. Amber’s dad was overprotective.