Harlequin Special Edition July 2013 - Bundle 1 of 2: Marooned with the MaverickHer McKnight in Shining ArmorCelebration's Bride

by Christine Rimmer

  “He came after you,” her mother pointed out. “He did the manly thing facing your father and brothers. That speaks well of his intentions.”

  “You need to talk to him,” her father said.

  “I have, and it didn’t change anything.”

  “Telling him you’re pregnant then coming home to your father and me is not talking.”

  Pride wanted to say that communicating with him was a really bad plan, but it was time to stop being stupid. Eventually she would have to see him, anyway. “Do you know where he’s staying here in Dallas?”

  “Dallas? You didn’t know?” Her mother looked surprised.

  “What?”

  “He’s gone back to Blackwater Lake. He said you seemed very sure that you didn’t want to marry him.”

  “So he left town,” Ellie said. “Seems to me he gave up pretty quick for a man in love.”

  Her father glanced at his wife. “I promised your mother I’d never bring this up again, but it has to be said. When that lying, adulterous jerk cost you your first job, you walked away without a fight, without telling anyone at work what he did to you.”

  “No one would have believed me.”

  “Your family did and no one else matters,” her father pointed out. “The bottom line is whether or not you win, you’ve got to fight back if you want something bad enough. At least you’ll never have to look back and regret letting something get away.”

  Her mother nodded. “As is often the case, Hasty, you’re completely right about that. Ellie, that horrible experience cost you a job. You’re beautiful, bright and talented with a fabulously successful career ahead of you. But if you don’t confront Alex and let him know how you feel, it will cost you happiness.”

  And her family’s respect. It was hard to argue when they were right.

  “Y’all are the smartest parents in the world.” She stood, then leaned down to kiss first her mother, then her father. “I know what I have to do.”

  Hastings Hart smiled proudly at his daughter. “That’s my little girl.”

  * * *

  Ellie drove up Main Street in Blackwater Lake and took everything in as if she hadn’t seen it for years instead of days. The town, mountains and lake touched a place inside her where she’d never been touched before. She cared deeply about cautious expansion and meticulous preservation of land and natural resources.

  Mostly, though, she desperately cared about Alex and couldn’t wait to see him.

  She stopped at the red light and glanced over at the Grizzly Bear Diner, the Tanya’s Treasures gift shop and the dry cleaner on the corner. There was comfort, charm and warmth here. It was why Alex had come back from California with the woman carrying the child he’d thought was his. And he was willing to give up this beautiful place to be near their child.

  The truth was that Alex McKnight had touched her soul. He might not feel the same way, but if she didn’t find out one way or the other, she’d never be able to hold her head high in the future.

  The only time you failed was when you failed to try.

  The light turned green, and she continued on until Mercy Medical Clinic came into view. After turning into the parking lot she stopped the rental car next to Alex’s truck. It was déjà vu—the long drive from the airport that had ended right in this same spot. Full circle, but everything had changed, and not just the fact that the expansion project had risen from foundation to finished.

  When she’d first arrived her goal had been about a job to build a résumé, but now she had to find her life.

  First she wanted to inspect the clinic addition. There was a banner on the side announcing the date of the grand opening, which was about four weeks away. Through a rear door added during construction, she walked inside, where carpenters installed cabinets and painters were rolling a soothing shade of light gold on the walls. Following the hall, she entered the existing waiting area and saw the receptionist counter and window. It was lunchtime so no patients were there.

  The room was empty except for Martha Spooner, who was talking to nurse Ginny Irwin. They looked over but didn’t seem all that surprised to see her. Maybe the two women knew something she didn’t.

  “Hi, Ellie.”

  “Nice to see you, Martha. Are you all right?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “This is a medical clinic, Spooner.” The nurse grinned. “The fact is, Ellie, she’s not here to see the doc. We’ve been friends for a long time. She came to pick me up for lunch.”

  “That’s a relief. I’m glad y’all are well.”

  “Never better.” The older woman slid her hands into the pockets of her jeans and looked her over. “How are you?”

  “How’s the ankle?” Ginny asked.

  Ellie glanced down at her high-top sneakers and realized that was another change. “It feels pretty good. And the hardware in it didn’t set off metal detectors at the airport.”

  “Ben will be glad to hear that.”

  “He will,” Martha agreed, giving her friend a look that said, Don’t change the subject. “But I was asking how you’re feeling.”

  Emphasis on the last word told Ellie that she meant the baby, but also gave her wiggle room in case she didn’t want to talk about that in front of anyone else. There was no point in pretending; eventually the whole town would know she and Alex were having a baby. This was about taking charge. No more running away.

  “I’m still having some morning sickness, but my obstetrician says it should get better in a few weeks.”

  Now Ginny looked surprised and gave Martha a you-held-out-on-me look. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled and added, “I’m very excited. Surprised, but happy. So is Alex.”

  “You know,” Ginny said, “Jill and Adam were disappointed when you left. They wanted you to draw up plans to build their house.”

  “And you owe me a kitchen,” Martha reminded her.

  “I’ll give Jill a call.” She looked at Alex’s housekeeper. “And I’m ready to start when you are.”

  “Good enough.” The woman nodded her approval. “It’s about time that man hooked up with a woman who’s coming back instead of leaving.”

  Ellie didn’t know about the hooking-up part, but she was here. It was up to Alex whether or not she stayed.

  Martha was looking past her, eyes narrowed. “Hi, Alex. Look who came back.”

  Ellie’s heart pounded as she turned. He was a sight for sore eyes and an even sorer heart. He looked tired, but otherwise he was his same solid, sexy self in jeans, T-shirt and boots.

  “Hi,” she said. “I was planning to stop in the construction trailer after looking things over here.”

  “I saw you pull in,” he said.

  Had he been anxious to see her or just didn’t believe she was going to see him? Hopefully the first one, she thought.

  “Ginny, we need to go to lunch. Now,” Martha prodded.

  “Right behind you, Spooner.”

  Ellie never took her eyes from Alex’s, but somehow knew when the women were gone and they were completely alone. “How are you?”

  “Okay. You?”

  She knew he meant the baby. “Everything’s perfect.”

  He looked her over and when he got to her feet, the corner of his mouth turned up. “Pink high-tops. Is that a Texas look?”

  “Not really. More Montana practical.”

  “The short skirt makes a statement.”

  Good or bad? But she didn’t ask. “I packed in a hurry.”

  “Why are you here, Ellie?” His eyes darkened. “Why did you come back?”

  “I’m here to finish what we started.” One way or the other.

  “You’re not talking about the clinic.”

  It wasn’t a question, but she shook her head. “My family may have mentioned that I’d be stupid to not express to you my feelings. Although he could do with a little less stubborn pride where I’m concerned, my daddy doesn’t tolerate stupidity in a Hart.”

 
Alex moved closer, near enough to pull her into his arms. But he didn’t touch her. “I’m listening.”

  She’d rehearsed this speech on the long, lonely drive from the airport. “First of all, I want to apologize for not sticking to the rules of the fling.”

  “We both agreed not to get emotionally involved,” he said.

  “Right. I didn’t plan to fall in love with you, Alex. It just happened.” She took a deep breath because this was the part where she bared her soul. “I understand if you don’t want me—”

  “Oh, God, Ellie—” In a heartbeat he’d folded her against his chest. “I want you more than anything in the world.”

  He cupped her cheek in his palm, then lowered his mouth to hers while she slid her arms around his waist. As communication went, this said everything. His mouth was greedy and he held her as if he’d never let her go. His heart pounded against hers and the two beat as one.

  Both of them were breathless when he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I’ve asked you this question twice, but neglected to say the single most important part.”

  “Okay. Try again.”

  “Third time’s the charm.” His eyes turned dark and intensity vibrated through him. “Ellie Hart, I want you to marry me as soon as possible, and it has nothing to do with duty or obligation because of the baby. The truth is I’m in love with you and I have been from the moment you refused to have a drink with me after work.”

  “No way,” she said.

  “Way.” Still cupping her cheek, he brushed his thumb over her lips. “The thing is, I’ve jumped in with both feet before, and this was so fast, so unexpected.”

  “Like lightning?”

  “Exactly. No man wants to get zapped like that.”

  “No woman, either,” she said.

  “It was the last thing I wanted and was too proud and stubborn to admit the truth. But it’s why I brought you home with me when you broke your ankle. It scared me how much I wanted to take care of you, protect you. So the best strategy I could come up with was a fling.”

  “I see.” That was a lie, but she was beginning to believe there would be plenty of time to sort things out. She loved where this was going.

  “The reality is that I couldn’t resist you. I love you, Ellie Hart.”

  “Then why did y’all leave Dallas?”

  “That was your father’s suggestion. He thought it would be a good plan, a way to get you to see reason. Your mom agreed. Something about letting a bird go to see if it comes back and is really yours.”

  Again, she was too happy to question how convoluted that strategy was. Although it had worked, and she got here as quick as she could. “I knew my parents were on your side.”

  “In a good way. Your brothers like me, too.”

  She smiled. “Does that mean you wouldn’t mind living in Dallas?”

  The truth was in his eyes when he said, “If you’ll be my wife, I’d live on the moon. As long as we’re together, anywhere you are makes me happy.”

  “Okay, then. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife and stay here in Blackwater Lake.”

  His grin was so unexpected, so filled with joy, that it nearly brought her to her knees. He lifted her and swung her around. “Anything for you.”

  She laughed and held on, because life with this man was going to be quite a ride. When he set her back on her feet she said, “Deny it all you want, but I know the truth.”

  “Which is?”

  “You always have been and always will be my McKnight in shining armor.”

  * * * * *

  Celebration’s Bride

  By Nancy Robards Thompson

  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

  Prologue

  “Did you tell anyone you were coming to St. Michel?” Maya LeBlanc asked.

  As she watched Sydney James shake her head, she wondered how such a smart, capable, beautiful woman could be so clueless about everything that was good and right for herself.

  “Nobody in Celebration, Texas, knows I’m here,” Sydney said. Her British accent sounded so crisp and proper. “I don’t want to say anything until I know whether or not I have the position. There is no sense in getting everyone up in arms if I’m not chosen for the job.”

  Sydney shrugged.

  Maya sensed hesitancy in the usually self-possessed woman.

  “So this is not what you want, then?” Maya asked as she stirred the pot of drinking chocolate she was preparing for the two of them.

  Sydney did a double take. Her narrowed gaze flitted from Maya’s face to the copper pot of chocolate, then back to Maya.

  “I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” she said. “Of course I would love a cup of chocolate, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Maya put her free hand on her hip and studied Sydney. “I’m talking about the job interview. You’ve made the process so clandestine. I don’t understand why you’re keeping it from everyone who cares about you. If moving back to St. Michel will truly make you happy, then it shouldn’t be such a secret.”

  Maya watched Sydney’s body language intently as the woman studied her hands, shifting from one Ferragamo-clad foot to the other. She swallowed hard before she cleared her throat.

  “It’s time for me to leave Texas,” she said. “It’s time to move on. That’s all.”

  Right. Maya’s friend sounded as excited as a woman who was marching to her death.

  “Why couldn’t you tell A.J., Pepper and Caroline?” Maya asked. “Your friends would be happy for you. They wouldn’t hold you back if this were truly your path. Unless you don’t really want to leave?”

  Sydney didn’t answer.

  Maya averted her gaze to the bubbles in the chocolate and quickened the pace with which she stirred. She grabbed a pinch of cinnamon and dropped it into the pot. Its coppery, sienna color stood out against the dark, rich brown of the chocolate, forming a rough design that made Maya do a double take.

  Interesting…

  She watched the image shift as the liquid boiled. She never knew when or how the sign would present itself. Sometimes the message came on the wind, other times—like now—it registered itself randomly, as it seemed to be doing in the chocolate. There was no way to predict it. But when it turned up it was unmistakable.

  Maya’s breath caught and her heartbeat quickened as she stole a glance at Sydney, whose sad eyes revealed more than Maya was sure Sydney wanted to tell.

  Maya just needed to be sure this was indeed the sign. So she added a small pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot.

  And there it was. As plain as if someone had handed her an engraved note.

  Sydney was next. She was the intended.

  The realization sent shivers of delight skittering through Maya. In addition to being a third-generation chocolatier, Maya was un marieur. A matchmaker. It was an avocation of sorts…. She would confess it really was her passion. Making and selling chocolate put food on her table, but bringing soul mates together fed her soul.

  “Why is your heart set on leaving Texas?” Maya asked as she removed the pot from the flame.

  “I get this way every so often,” Sydney said. “I must have a bit of gypsy in me because sometimes the urge to move on to somewhere new is consuming.”

  Sydney sounded more sure of herself than she had before, but Maya still detected the false bravado hiding beneath the polished veneer. “It’s the same restlessness that drew me away from St. Michel to Texas.”

  “And now you want to come back to St. Michel
?” Maya raised a brow at her friend as she carefully poured the thick liquid from the shiny copper pot into two demitasse cups. “As I recall, there was a man involved when you moved last time. Is that the case now?”

  “No. All I’ve done since I’ve been in Celebration is work. I haven’t had time for a man. That’s part of the reason I want to move on.”

  Maya studied the jars of special herbal mixtures on the shelf above her head. She sensed that all-work-and-no-play Sydney just might need a little something to wake her up. Something to help her recognize that opportunity might not necessarily come calling in the form of a job offer from the Royal House of Founteneau.

  Maya had a gut feeling the opportunity that the sign foretold would present itself in a much sexier manifestation. But Sydney needed to slow down, to light in one place long enough to give her future time to take root.

  Maya didn’t make this stuff up. She was simply the messenger. And it was clear to this courier that she had a life-changing message to deliver.

  She pushed the small cup across the marble counter to Sydney, who accepted it with a grateful smile.

  “Mon amie,” Maya said, her cup poised midair just before her first sip. “What are you running from?”

  Sydney sampled the drink. Maya glimpsed a thoughtful look in her friend’s green eyes a split second before she closed them to savor the treat. When Sydney opened her eyes, she said, “I’m not running from anything.”

  She smiled and tilted her head ever so slightly to the right. If Maya didn’t know better, she might’ve been fooled by her friend’s resolute facade. She wasn’t about to let her get away with this charade.

  “Then what are you running to?” Maya asked.

  A little laugh escaped Sydney and her fingers fluttered to her lips. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Maya took down a glass plate from a shelf behind the counter. “So you answer my question with a question?” She filled the plate with several truffles and chocolate-dipped Madeleines, specialties of the house. “If you’re not running from something, that must mean you are running to something.”

  Sydney wrinkled her nose. “No, I’m not doing that, either.” She set her cup on the counter and crossed her arms over her middle. Maya recognized the defensive body language for what it was. However, if the young woman hadn’t wanted her help, then she wouldn’t have come into the shop so eager to share the details of the job prospect that she was taking such great pains to hide from those closest to her. Maya owed it to Sydney to give her the advice she sought. Even if her friend didn’t seem to like the answer or seem consciously aware that she was seeking counsel.