The Daddy issue
Page 24
She kept her eyes on the paper as she took it from him. She opened it. It was a photo of two men, and at first glance she thought one of them was him. But the caption read, “John Chroma Wins Toyco Account.” She read the article beside it, where it told how Chroma Agency and The Nicholson Agency had been in the running for the worldwide account. Then it said that after careful evaluation, Toyco had eventually chosen Chroma. Both agencies were competent to handle their needs, the president of Toyco was quoted as saying. But in the end, The Nicholson Agency had bowed out of the competition and the account had gone to a jubilant John Chroma.
She read this last line of the article twice. “But, this is the account you wanted,” she said, her gaze still searching the picture, as if Daniel's image might suddenly pop up there to refute the article's words.
"Yes. I wanted the Toyco account very much at one time."
Now her gaze searched his. “Then why'd you let it go?"
"Toyco wanted me to prove I was worthy. They called me in and asked me to explain what I'd been doing here, and if I'd really abandoned my daughter.” His gaze darkened. “I lost interest in them then. I didn't feel I needed to justify my life to them or anyone else. Anyone but you, that is,” he said almost in a whisper.
She stared at him. “How much potential business did you lose with that deal?"
"All of it, in a way, since I just sold my share of the company to my partner.” His gaze dropped to her mouth for a moment, before returning to meet her shocked gaze. “There's no pull for me in Chicago anymore, though I've stayed on as a consultant. You're more important to me. You and Amy."
"But—"
He thrust his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. “I wouldn't blame you if you wanted me to leave right now. But I'm not going."
He reached for her, and pulled her off the bed, and held her hands in his. “I'm in love with you, Gretchen. Your trust matters more to me than anything. I won't ever leave you now. Don't leave me, either. Okay?"
She looked into his eyes, and yes, she saw it there. He loved her! It bounced around in her brain and made her heartbeat pound in her ears. She could barely concentrate on what he was saying now, stuck as she was on those three little words: I'm in love.
"Can you forgive me for coming here for selfish reasons at first?” He brushed her hair back, and curved his finger around her ear, sending delighted chills through her.
Again, she nodded.
He pulled her to him and wrapping her in his embrace, in his scent, his warmth. “I love you."
She sighed and melted against him.
But he straightened away once more. “What if I started a little retirement business here? Daniel's Bakery, maybe?” His eyes teased.
She smiled up at him. “I'd love you for richer or poorer.” Then, with a grin, she added a mild, “But didn't you make a fortune selling your share of The Nicholson Agency? That should set you quite well here in a consulting business on how to grow ad agencies."
"Sly girl” he growled. “Marry me tomorrow, before God and all of Marydale."
Her lips parted in surprise. She laughed. “No way. You know this town. They love a big, festive occasion."
"Well, if we must. But I won't wait long."
She gave him a peck on the lips. “Let's go tell Amy."
"I sent her outside with Crystal. Wally's probably driving them around in my car. They can't have gone far. We can go find them. But first things first."
He pulled her close and kissed her until she throbbed with desire. Then he kissed her again, leaving no doubt in her mind that he wanted them together forever.
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Epilogue
Daniel beamed down at the tiny baby in his arms. “Your uncle and cousins will be here any minute, Samantha. Stop rolling those eyes back in your head."
"She can't help it.” Gretchen slipped the bib out from under her chin, and placed it on Daniel's shoulder. “Better get a burp before she falls asleep on you."
Lifting his little girl, he patted her back, and soon got his result.
"Good job, Daddy.” After rubbing her sister's chestnut peach fuzz, Amy hopped off the glider. “I'm gonna go find Wally Junior."
"Okay. Crystal wants you to help him with those puzzles you brought him."
She nodded. “Don't worry. I'll show him how."
Daniel chuckled. He moved the sleeping baby to his other shoulder so he could squeeze his wife to him. “Our fourth anniversary. Can you believe it?"
She laid her cheek against his shoulder, alongside their daughter's terrycloth sleeper. “I love you. We're so lucky to have each other and our girls."
Daniel's throat tightened with emotion. He looked at the small garden area behind their old house, which was still in the midst of being renovated. It seemed another lifetime ago that he'd been in Chicago. He didn't miss anything about it. “I used to think I had everything I needed,” he said against Gretchen's hair. “And then I got you, and now I know I've got it all."
Gretchen leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Crystal's watching Wally Junior, and Wally just told me Sam and the boys are running late. Let's put Samantha in her crib and take advantage of a few moments to ourselves in the bedroom."
He chuckled. “Lead the way, Mrs. Nicholson."
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About the author...
Melissa Beck loves writing contemporary romances because it satisfies her passion for exploring what makes people tick, but she's not so sure acquaintances enjoy her psychoanalyzing them! She grew up mainly in Ohio, and returned to her home state of Tennessee to earn a degree in business at Vanderbilt University. After a career in the banking industry, she retired to raise her son and daughter with her college sweetheart husband. Hard Shell Word Factory published her first novel, a romantic suspense. She has placed in romance writing contests, including the Maggie Award for Excellence, and freelanced nonfiction articles. She's also passionate about her pets, gardening and needlework.
Contact her at www.melissabeck.com
or send her an email to melissa@melissabeck.com
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