“That’s up to your mother,” Max said. “Although I have a couple of suggestions.”
Emily’s mind was still spinning in frantic circles. “Can we really just leave?” she murmured.
“Why not?” Max stood and walked over to bring her to her feet. Framing her face with his hands, he smiled down at her. “It’s very hard to find a gift for the woman who already has everything.”
“Me? I’m not the rich one.” She leaned into the solid, sexy warmth of him.
“You have everything that’s important,” he said. “A smart, beautiful daughter. The admiration and respect of those you work with. A job that makes the world a better place. A home that warmly embraces all visitors.”
“That list is missing one very important element,” Emily said, her heart aching at the truth of his words.
Max looked surprised. “What did I forget?”
“You!”
*
After Max had kissed Emily thoroughly for saying exactly what he wanted to hear, he sent her and Izzy off to pack for a beach vacation on a private Caribbean island. As he waited by the crackling fire, he pulled a small velvet pouch out of his pocket. Untying the bag’s silk cords, he shook a ring onto the palm of his hand. He held up the large oval diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds and set in a graceful antique platinum band, turning it so the stones sparked in the firelight.
Rocco ambled over and plunked down on top of Max’s shoe. Max knelt down to show the ring to the puppy. “Do you think she’ll like it, little fellow?”
Rocco sniffed the ring before he gave the diamond an enthusiastic slurp.
“I think you’re right, although I’ll have to get it cleaned again now,” Max said, returning the ring to its pouch. “My plan is to take Emily and Izzy for a walk on the beach right before sunset. There’s a place where a tidal pool reflects all the colors in the sky. I’ll tell them how important they are to me and how much I want to spend the rest of my life with them.”
He rubbed his fingers over the shape of the ring in the pouch. “I know without a doubt that Emily is the only woman for me, but is it too soon to expect her to feel the same way?”
Rocco shook not only his head but his entire body, nearly falling over.
“Okay, buddy, I’m going to trust you on this,” Max said, picking up the puppy and holding him in front of his face. “But if she says no, you’re going to be in the doghouse.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This story is about community as well as love, because I appreciate how important being surrounded by great people is. I wish to thank the amazing community of people who make my books the best they can be. All my gratitude to:
Maria Gomez, my brilliant, energetic editor, who shepherds my books through the twists and turns of publication with such panache and enthusiasm.
Jessica Poore and the whole fabulous Montlake author relations and marketing team, who surround me with the kind of smart, innovative support most authors only dream of.
Andrea Hurst, my marvelous developmental editor, who gets my work on so many levels and draws forth my best efforts. I’m so glad I wrote Ferdie into this story (as Rocco) without even knowing it.
Sara Brady and Jill Kramer, my superb copy editor and proofreader, who make sure my prose shines bright like a diamond.
Letitia Hasser, my visionary cover designer, who evoked the perfect mood and feeling for the whole series this novella kicks off.
Rebecca Theodorou, ISU veterinary student, who gave me the right injuries, terminology, and medical protocols. Anything I messed up was either my fault or done in service to the story.
Jeff Theodorou, my meticulous, clear-sighted first reader, who pinpoints my plot holes and catches my mistakes before I can compound them.
Miriam Allenson, Lisa Verge Higgins, and Jennifer Wilck, my fantastic critique partners, who make every chapter they touch infinitely stronger, as well as listening to my woes and triumphs with equal empathy.
Jeff, Rebecca, and Loukas, my incredible, wonderful family, who are always cheering me on, no matter what the obstacles. You all make my life whole.
ABOUT NANCY HERKNESS
Photo © 2015 Lisa Kollberg
Nancy Herkness is the award-winning author of the Wager of Hearts and Whisper Horse series, as well as several other contemporary romance novels. A graduate in English literature and creative writing from Princeton University, she has earned the New England Readers’ Choice award, the Book Buyers Best Top Pick honor, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award and is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award.
Nancy is a native of West Virginia but now lives in suburban New Jersey with her husband, two mismatched dogs, and an elderly cat.
To learn more about Nancy and her books, please visit www.NancyHerkness.com, or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nancyherkness, Twitter @NancyHerkness, and Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/nancyherkness.
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