by Connie Cox
And Bella was wrong. Her son loved to fly—as long as she read to him. By the time they touched down in New York, Adrian was one happy boy on his way to see his daddy.
Unlike the passengers who’d had to listen to the manga version of Call of the Wild forty-seven times without a break.
When the taxi drive dropped them off at Cole’s high-rise apartment building, Isabella gave her last two twenty-dollar bills to the taxi driver. He sped away without giving her change.
With her cash gone and credit cards now totally maxed out, there truly was no going back.
Bella realized this was the first leap of faith she had ever taken, and it felt terrifying yet exhilarating.
She pounded on the door to Cole’s New York apartment, ignoring the eagle eyes she received from his neighbor. She was determined to stay until she got her answers. This would not be like the last time, full of misunderstandings and lost love.
No, this time she would have her say before she let him walk away.
If he thought he could come back into her life, make her fall in love with him and then just walk away, he had a thing or two left to learn about her.
When the door handle turned, she couldn’t step back fast enough to keep from falling forward. He caught her against his chest. The fresh smell of soap and Cole, the feel of his warm body against hers, the special electricity that flowed from his body to hers filled her senses. No, she was not going to meekly let this go.
“Bella, you’re here? You flew? What are you doing here?”
“I’ve found there is one thing I’m more afraid of than airplanes and that’s letting things go unspoken between us again.” She should stand on her own two feet right now, but Cole didn’t seem to be too quick to let her go. Not that she was pushing away from him.
“This isn’t going to be like last time.” She finally found the willpower. Putting her hands on his chest, she took a step back.
She pulled out the stark white envelope from her purse, slapping it against her opposite hand. “A letter isn’t going to be enough for me—not this time.”
Holding up the envelope, she said, very distinctly, “Whatever you have to say to me, say it to my face.” As she tore through the thick paper, she felt like she was tearing through her heart.
“Why, Cole?” She looked up at him, ignoring the tears welling in her eyes. “Why?”
Cole watched the pieces scatter around them. “My shoulder—it may be something serious. I may not be a surgeon anymore.”
“I’m not looking for the perfect man. Perfection is impossible.” She held both his hands in hers. “Cole Lassiter, I love you, flaws and all.”
“And I love you, Bella Allante, with all my heart.”
“And our son?”
“And our son, more than life itself.” He looked into her eyes. “I may not have a position in New Orleans, not if the spinal specialist can’t fix me up.”
“I want to be with you, Cole, here in New York, or wherever else you may end up.”
“Even if I have to leave the medical profession?”
“You are more than a surgeon, Cole Lassiter. You’re Adrian’s father. You understand him better than anyone else in his life. And you understand me. You’re the man who makes me feel whole. You’re my soul mate, and I am yours.” She laid her hand along his cheek. “We were always meant to be together.”
“Together, forever.” Cole dug into his pocket and pulled out a ring, small and delicate. “Bella, will you marry me?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you. And we will never be apart again.”
As Cole wrapped her in his arms, she whispered in his ear, “I was wrong about perfection being impossible. We’re the perfect family, flaws and all.”
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781459242357
Copyright © 2012 by Connie Cox
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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