Sheltered by the Millionaire

by Catherine Mann

  Beth took Megan by the shoulders gently and turned her. “Those are dark circles under your puffy eyes. Were you crying? Honey, what’s wrong?”

  Megan sagged back against the empty kennels they used for new cats to get acclimated before going into the free roaming facility. “We had a...really bad argument, and, well, it’s over between us.”

  “No,” Beth whispered, “that’s not possible.”

  But it was. She knew that all too well. “I heard about his land grab...the wetlands.”

  Beth’s eyes narrowed. “Who told you that?”

  “Colby Richardson. We crossed paths at the restaurant last night.”

  “What did Whit say when you asked him for his side of things?”

  “I said I...I mean, we talked about it.” She chewed her bottom lip, thinking back over their argument and trying to remember when things really went off the rails. “He didn’t deny it.”

  Beth nodded, but stayed silent.

  Alarms jangled in Megan’s mind. “You’re trying to say there was a good reason for what he did?”

  She thought back over the evening. It had been the perfect setup for a proposal. He’d even asked her to move in on the drive over. He was clearly serious.

  Reflecting on how quickly things had spiraled out of control, she started to question why she hadn’t asked rather than just assume. At the time it had seemed as if asking would have given him a chance to lie. But now she wondered if she had subliminally sabotaged the evening because deep down, she was afraid to trust any man again. Just as Whit had accused her of doing.

  She looked at Beth, guilt stinging over the way she’d jumped to conclusions when Whit had done nothing but try to see and meet her needs. Her eyes watered again and she didn’t bother hiding the emotion from her friend. “I should have asked him about the land purchases.”

  Beth hugged her close. “Sweetie, it’s hard to push aside a lifetime of insecurities. I understand that well.” She angled back and smiled. “But the risk is so very much worth it.”

  Megan eyed her friend suspiciously. “You wouldn’t happen to know why he bought the wetlands?”

  Beth shrugged. “You should be asking him.”

  “I’m asking you, because I think you know the answer.”

  “And if I did?” Beth replied enigmatically, “I think it would be wrong for me to tell you. A relationship needs to be built on trust and if I give you the easy answer, then you will have missed an amazing chance to make things right between you.”

  Beth’s words sunk in. Deep. As Megan looked back over her time with Whit, once she’d gotten to know him, he’d been honest, thoughtful, generous. Loving.

  The way she’d assumed the worst and walked away had to have hurt him. He had plenty of friends, but no family that had ever come through for him. His father had let him down time and time again.

  Even skipping out on bills.

  And God, she’d accused Whit of being dishonest. She squeezed her eyes shut and rested her head against the cool steel kennel. At every turn since the tornado, she’d seen his quietly philanthropic spirit. He wasn’t the type to shout his good deeds from the rooftops. He didn’t seek thanks or accolades.

  He was a good man.

  And she’d messed up, big-time.

  She’d been so afraid of getting hurt, she’d turned her back on the love of a lifetime. As she peeled off her gloves, she made up her mind—she owed Whit an apology. She was done being scared.

  * * *

  In his greenhouse, Whit dug his hands into the dirt and pulled the catnip from its original pot. The plant had taken off, outgrowing the small container. He’d come out here today to get his thoughts together. About halfway through the night he’d gotten past his pride. Sure, he’d hoped for more trust from Megan. But he’d pushed too much too fast. He needed to back up and regroup.

  He wasn’t a quitter. He’d worked to build a better life for himself and now he realized how narrow his view of success had been. It wasn’t about the house. It was about the people. He just had to figure out the right way to win her back.

  He dropped the catnip into a larger container and scooped more potting soil around the exposed roots. He’d made a lot more headway with Megan when he’d given her simpler gifts. But damn it, he’d thought buying the wetlands for her and leaving them untouched was the right decision.

  Damn it, he still did. He just needed to find the right time to try again.

  The greenhouse door opened and he called out for the deliveryman, “You can leave the crate of plants by the door.”

  “I don’t have any plants to offer.” Megan’s voice carried down the long walkway. “Can I stay anyway?”

  The sound of her, here, where they’d shared such an amazing night, was like water poured on parched soil. Incredible relief. Hope for new life. But he needed to tread carefully rather than steamrolling her as he’d done too often in the past.

  Whit pulled his hands out of the dirt and grabbed a rag. “Did you leave something here last week?”

  She walked toward him, every bit as gorgeous in jeans and a T-shirt as she’d been in her lace gown last night. “I did, actually.”

  Damn, disappointment kicked through him. “What did you leave? I’ll keep an eye out for it.”

  “You already have it in your hands, Whit.” She stopped in front of him and pressed her palms to his chest. “I left my heart here with you.”

  Had he heard her right? “Megan, about last night and the wetlands—”

  “Wait.” She tapped his lips. “Let me finish. It’s important. I brought something for you, but I need to say some things first. I want you to know that I trust you. I know you have an answer and a reason for whatever you’ve done. We may not agree, but I do respect your right to do as you see fit. We are different, you and I. And that’s a good thing too.”

  “You really mean that.”

  He was stunned to his roots that she gave him her trust so fully. He’d been so used to working like hell for everything in his life. He’d never expected something so perfect, so incredible to land so smoothly in his arms.

  “Absolutely.” She sounded so sure of herself. Of him. The constant worry in her green eyes was nowhere in sight.

  “God, Megan, I l—”

  She tapped his mouth again. “I’m still not finished. I need for you to listen. I know I said some unforgivable things last night and I’m sorry. I should have asked for your side of the story rather than assuming.”

  He held her with his eyes. “I haven’t given you a lot of time to trust me. I realize trust has to be earned.”

  “And you’ve done that. More times than most people in this town know and probably far more than I’ve realized.” She stroked his face. “I looked back and realized that you use your money and influence to help so many people without ever taking credit.”

  He shrugged off those words. “It’s easy for me to help. Doesn’t put a dent in my bank balance. That’s not a sacrifice.”

  She shook her head. “I think for a kid who was homeless a few times, it probably is a lot tougher to let go of the security of extra money in the bank than you let on.”

  God, she humbled him and amazed him and made him fall in love with her all over again. “You see me through far nicer eyes than I deserve.”

  “And you see yourself through a much harsher lens than you should.”

  Relief shuddered through him as he began to accept that she’d given him a second chance. He wrapped his arms around her waist, hauled her to his chest and just held her, a simple pleasure he would never take for granted again.

  He nuzzled her hair, her cinnamon scent tempting his nose and giving him ideas for something new to add to his garden. “What made you change your mind? Who told you about my plans for the wetlands?”

  �
��No one told me about your plans.” She angled back to look at him. “I meant it when I said I’m here because I trust you.”

  “Megan,” he said hoarsely. “I bought the tract of land to give to you. It will stay just as it is as a tribute to how damn lucky I am to have you in my life.”

  Her eyes went misty and then bright with tears. “Are you kidding? Oh my God, Whit.” She hugged his neck, kissed him, hugged him again, then dabbed her eyes. “I’m so sorry for doubting you. Can you forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. You’re here.” He stroked along her back, loving the way she felt in his arms. Loving her, period. “You said you’d brought something for me. What is it?”

  “Oh, right.” Her tears vanished and she smiled mysteriously. “A couple of things actually for your—our?—house.” She reached into her purse and passed him two silver picture frames. The first had a photo taken at the ice rink in Colorado of him with Megan and Evie. The second picture was of Evie on the sofa holding Tallulah, with Truffles, Pixie and Scooter sleeping along the back, while Piper and Cosmo stood by the coffee table set for a tea party.

  A lump rose in his throat.

  He hauled her close with a ragged sigh. “God, Megan, I love you so damn much. The thought of spending another night wondering if I’d lost you forever...”

  “You’ll never have to wonder again.” She arched up on her toes and brought her lips close to his. “I love you, too, Whit Daltry. Today, tomorrow and forever. Me, you, Evie and our menagerie of animals—we’re a family.”

  “I like the sound of that.” A lot. Deciding to leave his heart very much in her hands, he knelt on one knee in front of her. “Megan Maguire, will you do me the honor of being my wife, my lover, my love for the rest of our lives? Will you allow me the honor of being a father to Evie and any brothers or sisters we might give her in the years to come? Because there is nothing more that I want than to build a life with you by my side. I love you, Megan. I have a ring too, inside—”

  “Yes, yes, with or without a ring, yes.” She sank to her knees and took his hands in hers. “Of course, I’ll marry you, live with you, love you, for the rest of our lives.”

  He reached for that quilt he’d never gotten around to putting away and snapped it out onto the floor, then remembered what a mess he was. “We should shower. Together. In the interest of conserving water, you know.”

  She whispered against his lips. “Oh, we will. But first I have some plans for you and those oranges.”

  He had some plans for her too. And a lifetime to fulfill them right here in Royal, Texas, where finally he’d put down real roots, thanks to Megan’s love.

  * * * * *

  TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB:

  AFTER THE STORM

  Don’t miss a single story!

  STRANDED WITH THE RANCHER

  by Janice Maynard

  SHELTERED BY THE MILLIONAIRE

  by Catherine Mann

  PREGNANT BY THE TEXAN

  by Sara Orwig

  BECAUSE OF THE BABY...

  by Cat Schield

  HIS LOST AND FOUND FAMILY

  by Sarah M. Anderson

  MORE THAN A CONVENIENT BRIDE

  by Michelle Celmer

  FOR HIS BROTHER’S WIFE

  by Kathie DeNosky

  Keep reading for a special excerpt from THE SECRET AFFAIR by Brenda Jackson.

  Ten years ago one devastating night changed everything for Austin, Hunter and Alex. Now they must each play their part in the revenge against the one man who ruined it all.

  Austin Treffen has the plan… Hunter has the money… Alex has the power!

  Read each of their stories in the captivating Fifth Avenue trilogy,

  only from Harlequin Presents:

  Avenge Me by Maisey Yates (June 2014)

  Scandalize Me by Caitlin Crews (July 2014)

  Expose Me by Kate Hewitt (August 2014)

  And don’t miss the Fifth Avenue prequel that started it all, Take Me, by Maisey Yates!

  Order your copies today in ebook format.

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  SPECIAL EXCERPT FROM

  Here’s a sneak peek of

  THE SECRET AFFAIR

  by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author

  Brenda Jackson

  Dr. Aidan Westmoreland entered his apartment and removed his lab coat. After running a hand down his face, he glanced at his watch, frustrated. He’d hoped he would have heard something by now. What if…

  The ringing of his cell phone made him pause. It was the call he’d been waiting for. “Paige?”

  “Yes, it’s me.”

  “Is Jillian still going?” he asked, not wasting time with chitchat.

  There was a slight pause on the other end, and in that short space of time knots formed in his stomach. “Yes, she’s still going on the cruise, Aidan.”

  He released the breath he’d been holding as Paige continued, “Jill still has no idea I’m aware that the two of you had an affair.”

  Aidan hadn’t known Paige knew the truth either, until she’d paid him a surprise visit last month. According to her, she’d figured things out the year Jillian had entered medical school. She’d become suspicious when he’d come home for his cousin Riley’s wedding and she’d overheard him call Jillian Jilly in an intimate tone. Paige had been concerned this past year when she’d noticed Jillian seemed troubled by something that she wouldn’t share with Paige.

  Paige had talked to Ivy, Jillian’s best friend, who’d also been concerned about Jillian. Ivy had shared everything about the situation with Paige. Which had prompted Paige to fly to Charlotte and confront him. Until then, Aidan had been clueless as to the real reason behind his and Jillian’s breakup.

  When Paige had told him about the cruise she and

  Jillian had planned and she’d suggested an idea for getting Jillian on the cruise alone, he’d readily embraced it.

  “I’ve done my part and the rest is up to you, Aidan. I hope you can convince Jill of the truth.”

  Moments later he ended the call and continued to the kitchen, where he grabbed a beer. Two weeks on the open seas with Jillian would be interesting. But he intended to make it more than just interesting. He aimed to make it productive.

  A determined smile spread across his lips. By the time the cruise ended there would be no doubt in Jillian’s mind that he was the only man for her.

  Find out how this secret affair began—and how Aidan plans to claim his woman in THE SECRET AFFAIR by New York Times and

  USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson.

  Available December 2014, wherever Harlequin® Desire books and ebooks are sold!

  Copyright 2014 © by Brenda Streater Jackson

  ISBN-13: 9781460341841

  Sheltered by the Millionaire

  Copyright ©
2014 by Harlequin Books S.A.

  Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Catherine Mann for her contribution to the Texas Cattleman’s Club: After the Storm miniseries.

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