A Touch of Passion (boxed set romance bundle)

by Uvi Poznansky

  “And I’m Nick, if you please.”

  “Yes, Nick,” interjected Nellie. “Annie has been married and widowed in the past year. I’ve told her she can stay with us for as long as she wants.”

  “Of course,” said Blake. “We’ve more than enough space and it looks like Daniel will have someone to play with very soon.”

  “Daniel?” said Annie.

  “Our son,” said Blake.

  “He’s just two weeks old,” said Nellie. “As soon as you’ve rested we’ll go upstairs and get you settled and you can see him, and Violet and Henry too. They’ll be thrilled to see you.”

  That explained Nellie’s weight gain and the circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. A new baby.

  “I’ve missed you and the little ones. It seems like it was a hundred years ago that we made the trip from New York for me to marry William and you to marry Blake. William wasn’t up for visiting much. I can see your marriage is a happy one. I’m glad for you.”

  Nellie reached up and took Blake’s hand, smiling. “Yes, a very happy one.”

  James entered carrying a tray.

  “Oh, I see you two are having tea, Nick and I should go,” said Blake.

  “Or we could stay,” said Nick sitting in the blue floral upholstered chair across from where Annie sat on the matching settee.

  Blake raised his eyebrows, “Or we could stay. Would you like tea, or coffee, Nick?”

  “I’ll have tea,” Nick’s gaze never left Annie’s face.

  “Two more cups and more sandwiches please, James,” directed Blake.

  “Coming right up, sir.”

  Blake sat in the chair matching Nick’s across from Nellie.

  “So Annie, what happened? Nellie said you’d been widowed. I’m sorry to hear it.”

  “Yes, I married William White, the man I contracted with. I didn’t really want to, but I had the agreement with him and he did pay for my passage out here to San Francisco.” She twisted and untwisted the handkerchief in her hands. “He was quite a lot older than me and not in very good health, but I didn’t expect him to have a heart attack and die before we’d been married a year.”

  “And you in the family way, it must have been very hard for you,” said Nick.

  James came in with a tray of sandwiches and two more tea cups and saucers. He put the cups down in front of each gentleman and the sandwiches with two more plates on the center of the table in front Nellie and Annie.

  When James left, Annie said, “I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been difficult. I told Nellie, so you should know as well Blake, I have nothing left. William’s estate was sold to cover his debts. Both he and his partner Seth Christenson, lost most everything, though Seth was much better off than William. He was able to pay off his portion without selling anything.”

  “Not to worry. We have plenty of room. There are at least four empty bedrooms and the Green Suite is perfect for you. You can stay as long as you like.”

  Annie dabbed at the tears in her eyes. “Thank you so much. Both of you. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here.”

  “Now, now, don’t cry Mrs. White, all will be well,” said Nick, as he reached over and patted her hand.

  “Annie, please.” She stiffened. “I don’t want to be known by William’s name. If I could I’d take my name back and lose his entirely. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t burden you with more of my troubles. Suffice it to say, my marriage was not a happy one.” She placed her hand on her belly. “She was the only good thing to come of it.”

  “She?” questioned Nick. “Are you so sure it’s a girl?”

  “Oh yes, I’m certain.” She smiled and warmth filled her, just thinking about her baby who she already loved more than her life. “I can’t tell you why, but she settles down when I talk to her. I’ve even picked out a name. Evangeline. But I’ll call her Evie.”

  “And if it does happen to be a boy, do you have a name picked? Will you call him after his father?” asked Nick.

  “Heavens, no.” She shook her head and pursed her lips. “If she turns out to be a he, I’ll probably call him Blake,” nodding her head toward the man in question, “after your friend here.”

  “I’d be honored,” said Blake, his hand to his chest.

  “But I’m sure it’s a girl.” Annie looked over at Nellie. “Do you suppose you could show me to my room? I’m very tired. I walked here and it took hours. My feet hurt so bad, I just want to put them up and rest.”

  “Oh, Annie, of course.” Nellie stood and turned to Blake. “Her bag is in the foyer, please bring it up to the Green Suite. Let’s go Annie. It’s a perfectly lovely room and has a sitting room attached, that will work wonderfully for a nursery.”

  Annie scooted forward on the settee and then lifted her bulk using the arm rest as support. She hadn’t taken five steps toward the door, when she stopped dead.

  “Oh, my. Nellie! Help me.” Fear clutched her muscles, as she felt the warm gush of liquid between her legs. She looked down. “I think I’m having the baby.”

  Nick was beside her in an instant. “Here, let me take you upstairs.” He swept her into his arms and strode out of the room and toward the stairs.

  Annie wrapped her arms around his neck, until a contraction hit her and she could no longer keep them there. “Oh, dear Lord, help me.”

  Nick didn’t falter, just sped up and got her to the bedroom. Blake, ahead of them, held open the door. Nick hurried through and placed her on the bed.

  “Blake, you and Nick get me some towels and hot water,” directed Nellie. “I sent for the doctor already. The appointment was just to have him examine her, I didn’t know it would be for a delivery…if he makes it. And send Bertha to me.”

  Nellie watched the men leave, then helped Annie to stand and began undoing the buttons on her dress. “We’ve got to get you out of these clothes.”

  Annie wanted to help, but another pain hit her and she had to sit on the bed, gripping the edge of the mattress. She knew now that the pain she’d been having for most of the day were contractions and felt like an idiot. What kind of woman doesn’t know she’s in labor?

  “I don’t think you’ll make it until the doctor arrives. The baby may have waited to get here, but since she’s decided to be born, she wants to come out. Now.” Nellie smiled at her. “Is the pain better?”

  “Yes,” Annie panted, out of breath. “It’s better.”

  “Good. Stand so we can get you undressed. I’ll be fast.”

  And she was, Annie’s dress hit the floor, followed by her chemise, crinoline and pantaloons. Nellie helped her wrap a sheet she’d pulled from the bureau drawer, around her, after which Nellie turned down the bed covers.

  “Oh, excuse me,” said Nick from the doorway.

  Annie looked at him, squealed and pulled Nellie to stand in front of her.

  “Nick, leave the towels and go please, so I can get her into bed.”

  “Of course. Forgive me.” He turned and left.

  Annie crawled beneath the covers. She relaxed against the pillows and let out a long sigh, happy to finally be off her feet.

  Nick and Bertha squeezed by each other in the doorway.

  “Good, you’re here,” Nellie said to Bertha. “I need one of my nightgowns for her. Actually bring two, both that button down the front.”

  Bertha turned and left the room without stopping. She was back with the garments in what seemed like a minute.

  Nellie helped Annie into one and then back into bed.

  “Thank you, I think all the walking finally made her decide to come out and play or maybe she knows that we’re safe now.”

  “Either way, I’m glad she’s ready to say hello,” said Nellie.

  Blake came in with a bucket of steaming water and set it on the floor at the end of the bed.

  “Good. Now you should go take care of Nick. I’m afraid he saw Annie wrapped in a sheet and he may never have seen a pregnant woman in such a state of undress before.”


  “Then he got a treat.” Blake waggled his eyebrows at Nellie. “Seriously, how is Annie?” He looked over at Annie, huffing and puffing on the bed, concern marring his handsome features.

  “She’ll be just fine, but send the doctor up immediately when he gets here.”

  “I will. You’re in good hands now, Annie,” he called over his shoulder on the way out of the room.

  *****

  Blake entered the library and found Nick with a brandy in his hand leaning against the side bar.

  “A bit early, don’t you think?” He pulled the cord next to the side bar and rang for James.

  “Not in the least. Did you see her? She’s…she’s”

  “The word you’re looking for is pregnant.”

  “No, I mean yes, but she’s beautiful. All that curly red hair falling free of her bun leaving tendrils trailing down her back. Those sapphire blue eyes. I’d forgotten how lovely she was.”

  Blake recognized the faraway look in Nick’s eyes. He’s got it bad. “Well, you only met her that one time, when Nellie and I got married. I haven’t seen her since then either. But you’re right she is rather pretty.”

  “Pretty!” He looked toward the ceiling and shook his head, a wistful look in his eyes. “She’s exquisite. Even pregnant.”

  “I didn’t realize how attracted you were to our little friend.” Blake sat behind the desk and motioned for Nick to take a chair in front of it.

  “Since the first time I saw her at your wedding a year ago. But I knew she was getting married, so I never pursued it. But now, she’s available, and I intend to have her, and marry her if she’ll accept me.”

  “I see,” said Blake, raising his brows, wondering how Nick could still feel that way after so long without seeing her.

  “No, I don’t think you do. I intend to marry Annie Markum White, as soon as I can convince her I’m sincere.”

  “Given her experience with a bad marriage, that could be difficult, if she doesn’t want to marry again.”

  “I’ll convince her. I will make her mine,” said Nick. “I have to.”

  James entered. “You rang, sir.”

  “Yes, James. Bring us some coffee please and those sandwiches that the ladies didn’t eat. We’ll be here a while. As soon as Doctor Walsh comes, show him to the Green Suite immediately.”

  “Yes, sir. It will be done.”

  “After you’ve taken the doctor, please come and inform me that he’s here.”

  “Yes, sir.” He turned and left the room.

  “James is wonderful. You’re very lucky to have found him.”

  “I am,” agreed Blake. “He needed work and I needed a butler.”

  “So do I. As a matter of fact, I have to hire a complete staff. When it was just me rambling around in that big house, a housekeeper was all I needed. But now that Annie will be living there—”

  “Whoa, hold your horses there, Hoss.” Blake slammed his chair forward and shook his head. “Annie isn’t going anywhere. For God sakes, Nick, she’s giving birth as we speak.”

  Nick waved his arm, “But that will be over soon and then—”

  “And then, she’ll need to recuperate and care for the baby. For a while. She won’t be interested in anything except that baby.”

  Nick took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m just so excited that she’s here and available. I’m ready to settle down. I’m ready to have what you and Nellie have.”

  “I understand your longing. Until Nellie, I never wanted to settle down with one woman, but after I saw her, I knew. I had to get her to marry me right away.”

  “Nellie is an honorable woman and Annie is too, or she would never have agreed to marry a man she didn’t love. She upheld her contract.”

  James entered carrying a tray with the silver coffee service and two plates one of sandwiches and one of cookies. He set the tray on the side bar. “Would you like me to pour, sir?”

  “No, thank you, James. That will be all.”

  The butler nodded once and left the room.

  Blake got up and poured a cup of coffee for Nick.

  “Do you still take it with two sugars and a spot of cream?”

  “Yes, and today, with a spot of brandy as well.”

  Blake cocked an eyebrow but said nothing. He added the brandy and handed Nick the coffee cup.

  Nick took a large gulp of the hot, creamy liquid and felt the burn all the way down to his stomach. He didn’t know if the burn was from the brandy or the heat of the coffee. Either way it was what his system needed.

  “Feel better?” Blake asked with a smile.

  “Yes.” He took a deep breath and let it out on a sigh. “I’ll feel even better when Annie agrees to be my wife.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up,” said Blake. “I’ve got to warn you that convincing her will be more difficult for you than it was for me. Nellie wasn’t a preacher’s daughter.”

  “Annie is a preacher’s daughter?” His head began to hurt and it had nothing to do with the consumption of brandy. “We never really talked about our backgrounds at your wedding. She was Nellie’s friend and I was yours, that’s all. Figures. It couldn’t be a simple matter of her falling in love with me, now could it?”

  “’fraid not, my friend. Sorry.”

  Nick suddenly stood. “It doesn’t matter. I will get her to fall in love with me and then to accept me for what I do for a living. Our relationship has got to work. Don’t you see? I’ve loved Annie since the first moment I met her. I can’t lose her, not a second time.”

  This has been the first chapter of

  Annie

  Volume II of The Brides of San Francisco

  by

  Cynthia Woolf

  Ambrosia by the Sea

  TRACI HALL

  Celia Langford lost her perfect life in the ultimate betrayal—not only was her late husband a cheat, he left her with a mountain of debt and no self-confidence. She poured her grief into cooking, determined to start new and heal by the sea. She meets Dax Smith, local dive shop owner, and pure-bred South Florida native. The wrong city girl left a bad taste in his mouth, so he's stayed clear of all matters of the heart. His father is ill, her business is not going as planned. But their uncontrollable attraction toward one another makes anything seem possible.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  First Chapter of Karma by the Sea

  Prologue

  Celia Langford watched the replay of her husband’s death with morbid fascination. She wasn’t normally a fan of the macabre, nor did she enjoy self-inflicted pain. But, she thought as she unwrapped another Snickers bar, a mini, so it didn’t really count as candy, how could she face her family once word of Preston’s death was released?

  She savored the melting chocolate on her tongue–a treat she hadn’t allowed herself in seven years. Why? Celia held on to the marble counter in her white-on-white kitchen, staring at the video, pausing at the spot where Preston perched on the edge of the plane, ready to sky dive over the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Hawaii.

  The dark-haired woman at his back adjusted his buckles and checked his parachute. She turned to the side, and Preston ran his hands over her rayon suit, taking the time to squeeze a plump breast. The hair on the back of Celia’s neck rose and she swallowed the chocolate. Not into extreme sports, Celia was fairly certain mammograms were not part
of the services offered at Pacific Sky Diving Inc. Besides, her late husband was a Pediatric Oncologist, not a Gynecologist.

  The woman smiled, her teeth bright against her olive skin tone. Her glossy lips were the wrong shade of raspberry, but Preston didn’t seem to mind when she pressed her mouth to his, cupping his groin for good measure. They each waved to the cameras. Who, Celia wondered, had they been planning on sharing their video with?

  She reached for another piece of candy, tears blurring her vision. They held hands and jumped together. As if that were not close enough contact, they entwined their legs, and came around for another kiss. Preston’s laugh was the one she rarely heard–care free and wild. This man had Preston’s perfect hair, dark brown kept trimmed to his neck. Preston’s eyes behind the clear goggles. Preston’s cleft chin. But she did not recognize the passion in his embrace with the strange woman. It left a different kind of ache in her heart, besides the betrayal of it all.

  In the next moment, their parachutes tangled together. Celia saw the panic in the woman’s eyes, the certainty that everything would be just fine in Preston’s. She heard the woman’s scream, the flutter of the wind, and finally, there was nothing left to hear or see as the lovers fell into the shark-infested ocean.

  Celia unwrapped a fifth piece of chocolate and pressed the play button once more.

  Chapter One

  Celia arrived in the quaint little town by the sea just as the sun was rising over the ocean. The golden morning light gilded the summery beach cottages and condominiums along Ocean Boulevard. She’d driven all night, too cheap–no, frugal–to waste money on a flea-ridden motel.

  The water sparkled turquoise and sea foam while pelicans soared like prehistoric aviators over lightly lapping waves against an ivory stretch of sand. She’d thought it the best place to heal when she’d closed on her outdated, fixer-upper condo last month.

  “I need a damn miracle.” She pulled into the gas station on the corner as the final plumes of fuel sputtered to nothing. If she wasn’t mistaken, she’d gone the last twenty miles on a flat tire. Her bladder, full to bursting, demanded attention. What emergency to deal with first?