Return to Me

by Jacquelin Thomas

  She smiled and held up hers, as well. “To what, handsome?”

  “You.”

  She chuckled.

  “To me?”

  “Yes, to you and to me. In a couple of months, you’re going to be my wife. Most of our relationship has been fun.”

  “Yes,” she said as their glasses clinked. “It’s been fun.”

  Austin placed his glass down and studied her. “You are so beautiful, Bree. Sometimes I can’t believe you’re so much a part of my life.”

  “You’ve become very important to me. I’ve never been loved by anyone the way you love me and Emery.” Bree walked over to the fireplace.

  “This has been a beautiful day, Austin. Everything’s been fabulous.”

  He smiled at her. “Glad you approve.”

  “I do. Now the thing is...you have to do this every Christmas. It has to be special every year.”

  “I can do that.”

  Bree placed her head on his chest as Austin tightened his arms around her.

  Moments later she lifted her eyes to his.

  As if on cue, they moved closer.

  “Want to dance?” Austin asked.

  “I’d love to.”

  They moved to the music slowly.

  Non-rushed.

  Their bodies swayed to the rhythm, speaking a language of love.

  No words were needed.

  * * *

  The day after New Year’s, Bree invited Jordin to lunch.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Jordin asked. “You sounded really cryptic on the phone.”

  Bree waited until her friend was seated before holding up her left hand.

  Jordin’s mouth dropped open in her surprise. “Oh, my goodness! Girl, that ring is gorgeous. You and Austin are engaged.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m so excited for you.”

  “No more excited than I am,” Bree responded with a grin. “I’m so looking forward to being married again.”

  Jordin nodded in understanding. “So, when did Austin propose?”

  “It happened Christmas Eve. We each opened one present and this was mine. We’re planning to get married in Hawaii.” Bree paused a moment before continuing. “He even bought a ring for Emery.”

  “How sweet is that?” Jordin murmured softly.

  “It brought tears to my eyes.”

  Have you and Austin thought about a date yet?”

  Bree gave a slight nod. “It’s going to be in February.”

  “That’s next month. How are you going to plan a wedding so fast?”

  “It’s just going to be the three of us,” she responded. “We want an intimate ceremony.”

  Jordin’s smile disappeared. “Really?”

  Bree nodded. “I’ve already had the big wedding. I’m really not interested in having another one.”

  “I can’t believe we’re going to miss out on seeing you get married, but I do understand.”

  “We haven’t told anyone about the engagement,” Jordin said. “You’re the only one who knows right now.”

  “Do you plan on telling the family?”

  “Yes. We just haven’t decided when.” Bree laid down her fork. “How do you think your father’s going to take the news that we want to get married without the family?”

  “He’ll be disappointed, but I don’t think Dad’s the one you really have to worry about—how will Irene feel about it?”

  “I’m going to let Austin deal with his mother.”

  “Wise woman,” Jordin said with a chuckle.

  “I’m so glad that everything has worked out between you and my brother. I know that he really does love you.”

  “I know he does,” Bree responded. “He’s shown me in so many ways. Jordin, when I was in all that pain while we were in Georgia—Austin never left my side. He and his mother took such good care of me and Emery.”

  “I wish I could’ve been there for you. How has it been for you since the surgery?” Jordin picked up a French fry and stuck it into her mouth.

  “I haven’t been in nearly as much pain,” she responded, “I still have some, but it’s bearable. The treatments are helping.”

  Jordin signaled for the check. “This is my treat.”

  They left the restaurant minutes later.

  “Girl, congratulations again.”

  They embraced.

  “Thank you,” Bree murmured. “We do plan on having a reception here in Charleston after we get back from Hawaii. We’ll celebrate as a family.”

  “I just want you and Austin to be happy.”

  Chapter 23

  The wedding went off without a hitch on Valentine’s Day, the weather pleasantly warm on the beach. The vows were made, the rings exchanged and the marriage sealed with a kiss.

  Back in Charleston, Austin unlocked the front door to Bree’s house, then picked her up and carried her over the threshold.

  “Welcome home, Mrs. DuGrandpre.”

  Emery laughed as if it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. “You carry Mommy.”

  “One day when you get married, you’ll do the same thing,” Austin told his son.

  “Surprise...” echoed all around the room.

  Bree eyed the members of the DuGrandpre family, then looked over at Austin. “What did you do?”

  “Trust me, sweetheart. This is to appease my mother, who was very upset that we didn’t have a wedding.”

  “Should I be scared?”

  He laughed. “Emery is our secret weapon.”

  “I can’t believe your mother is actually going to be in the same room as your father and stepmother.”

  Austin nodded. “It might be a good idea to keep them on opposite sides of the room.”

  “She just arrived,” Bree announced, peeking out the window. “She just got out of the taxi.”

  He met his mother at the door. “I’m glad you agreed to come.”

  “I’m not gonna miss the celebration of my only child’s marriage. Even though he didn’t invite me to the wedding.”

  “We wanted it to just be the three of us, Mom. Bree doesn’t have family, and that’s why she didn’t want anything big. So, can you forgive me?”

  Irene embraced him. “Of course.”

  Bree spotted Sara and went over to talk to her, but caught sight of Etienne and Eleanor coming through the front door. Her gaze strayed to Austin, who appeared to be searching for his mother.

  Irene had seen them enter and was headed straight toward them.

  “What’s your mother doing?” Bree whispered when she rushed over to Austin.

  “I don’t know.”

  He watched as Irene greeted his father with a hug, then she embraced Eleanor. The three talked for a few minutes. His mother glanced over at him and smiled before she moved on to greet the next guest.

  * * *

  Dinner was a more elaborate affair. The caterers had transformed the dining room, adding to the wedding decorations and producing crystal, silver, champagne, wine, hors d’oeuvres and seafood salad, salmon, baby rack of lamb and a bouquet of fresh vegetables. Dessert was a three-layer wedding cake.

  Bree was drawn into a conversation with Amya, Kai and Emery. She bit back her laughter as they talked about Barbie being able to beat up Spider-Man.

  “Barbie can’t fight ’cause she a girl,” Emery said. “Boys fight...not girls.”

  Kai looked over at her and said, “Girls can fight...can’t they, Bree?”

  She nodded. “There’s Super Girl, Wonder Woman...lots of girls are superheroes.”

  “But Mommy...not Barbie.”

  “So tell us about the wedding,” Eleanor said after the wedding cake was served.

  “We waited until sunset to get married,” Austin said. “Emery and
I stood on the beach under an arch decorated with this gauzy fabric and vibrant red flowers, waiting for my bride. She showed up, dressed in a strapless satin gown with flowers in her hair and looking stunning. I kept thinking to myself that I was a blessed man to have this terrific woman by my side.”

  “I’m the one who won the lottery,” Bree said. “Austin is a wonderful man and a great father.”

  He kissed her.

  The room erupted in applause.

  She glanced over at Jordin and crossed the room. Bree sat down, saying, “Hon, you don’t look like you’re feeling well.”

  “I’m a little nauseated,” she admitted. “Ethan wanted me to stay home, but I wasn’t about to miss this. I’m so happy for you and Austin.”

  She eyed her sister-in-law. “Are you pregnant?”

  “Yes, but we haven’t made the announcement yet,” Jordin said in a low voice. “We’ll tell everyone at the family dinner next weekend.”

  “Congratulations, sweetie.”

  The two women embraced.

  “Do you want some crackers or something to settle your stomach?” Bree offered.

  “Please...”

  She left and returned minutes later with the crackers and a glass of ginger ale. “Here you go. If you need to lie down for a bit, you can go into the guest room.”

  Jordin gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks.”

  “Just go to the kitchen if you need more.”

  Bree found her husband and joined him for the cutting of the cake.

  Several hours later, after everyone had gone home, she and Austin retired to their room.

  Emery had gone with Ryker and Garland for the weekend.

  “Thank you for today,” Bree told him when he came out of the bathroom.

  He climbed into bed with her.

  Bree rearranged her pillows before settling back against them. “I saw your mom and dad talking.”

  “It’s been a long time coming. I hope they were able to finally have closure.” Austin rearranged his pillows.

  “Jadin’s boyfriend sure is racking up frequent flyer miles,” Bree commented. “Maybe he should just move back to Charleston.”

  “He loves working with his uncle in Los Angeles, but from what I understand, Michael’s been in love with my sister for years. I know she’s tried to end it with him a couple of times, but he refuses to give up on her.”

  “Do you think they’ll work everything out?” Bree inquired.

  “Yes,” Austin said with certainty.

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “I can feel Michael’s determination...all I can say is that my sister better watch out. That man is determined to have a life with her.” He pulled Bree into his arms. “Enough about our family. It’s time to concentrate on us.”

  “I love the way you think.”

  Austin kissed Bree, and planned on doing a whole lot more.

  * * *

  “You’re home.”

  Austin embraced his wife. “Sounds like you missed me.”

  “What are you talking about? We’ve been married for six months now,” she said. “And honey, I can’t wait for you to leave so I can have some time to myself.”

  He laughed. “Is that why you’re always waiting for me at the door?”

  Bree gave him a playful punch to the arm. “You make me sound like a puppy.”

  “You’re definitely not a pup, my beautiful and sexy wife.”

  “Don’t try to clean it up now.”

  He kissed her. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll be down by the time dinner’s ready.”

  Austin went upstairs while Bree navigated to the kitchen to check on the baked ziti.

  She removed it from the oven and sat it on the stove, then called for her son. “Emery, it’s time for dinner. Wash your hands, sweetie.”

  “’Kay...” was his response.

  They sat down to dinner fifteen minutes later.

  “I’ll clean up,” Austin said when they finished eating.

  “Hon, I don’t mind—”

  He cut her off by saying, “Bree, you give Emery his bath and I’ll take care of the kitchen.” Lowering his voice, he added with a grin, “I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”

  “A man with a plan...”

  “These came today,” Bree announced when he walked out of the kitchen. “Although it’s merely a formality.”

  “What is it?”

  “The final decree of Emery’s adoption papers.”

  Now the little boy was officially what he’d always been in Austin’s heart—his son.

  Later that evening as they readied for bed, Bree said, “Honey, I know we’ve been talking about adopting another child...”

  Austin met her gaze. “Have you changed your mind?” He was looking forward to expanding their family.

  “No, I haven’t changed my mind,” Bree responded. “But we may want to put it off for a year or so.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we’re going to have a baby.” She placed his hand to her belly.

  Bree immediately saw surprise leap into Austin’s eyes.

  “I thought you couldn’t have children.”

  “Apparently, the laparoscopic surgery removed enough endometrial tissue to give us this chance of conceiving naturally...” She slapped his arm. “Stop grinning like that. You didn’t do this by yourself, you know.”

  “We were meant to be a family. This proves it.” He kissed her. “I love you so much.”

  With a whoop of joy, Austin lifted her high into the air, twirling her round and round.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this tempting story, pick up these other titles in Jacquelin Thomas’s THE DUGRANDPRES OF CHARLESTON series:

  FOREVER MY BABY

  ONLY FOR YOU

  Available now from Harlequin Kimani Romance!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from WINNING HER HEART by Harmony Evans.

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  Winning Her Heart

  by Harmony Evans

  Chapter 1

  Almost there. Almost home.

  Micah Langston shifted his sleek black convertible into fifth gear as it zipped along the Pacific Coast Highway north from San Francisco toward Bay Point.

  The midafternoon sun beamed down on his head. The air was fresh and clean, and the conve
rtible, though it was a rental, made him want one for his own.

  He loved the feel of the wind sliding over his hair like invisible silk. The unadulterated freedom, riding rooftop down, exhilarated him.

  Watch it, Micah, he warned himself, frowning slightly.

  You could get used to this.

  To his left, the Pacific Ocean beckoned. Magellan, the Portuguese explorer, had coined it Mar Pacifico, which means peaceful ocean. Micah glanced over at the endless expanse of blue, wondering if he’d ever feel a sense of peace. But he’d given his word. He had to give Bay Point one more chance.

  Micah left his hometown over ten years ago to attend the famed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Once he’d graduated, he rarely returned home, except for important family functions.

  Instead, he’d spent his time focusing on his career.

  By the time he was twenty-eight, he owned three successful restaurants in New York City, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. As executive chef of each one, he created his own recipes, specializing in southern cuisine with a Latin twist. All the restaurants were branded Society Red, were immensely popular and garnered rave reviews. And for good reason; he was a damn good cook.

  His older brother, Gregory Langston, the mayor of Bay Point, wanted him to open up a restaurant downtown. He had lured him back home with the promise of big tax breaks and potentially big profits. Mayor Langston was convinced that Micah’s name would draw tourists year-round.

  Micah exited the highway and headed east. In his mind, this trip was exploratory only. His brother might have a vision for the small beach town, but that didn’t mean he agreed with it, or necessarily wanted to play a role.

  Now, at only thirty years old, he wasn’t sure Bay Point was the place to drop a permanent pin on all he had yet to accomplish in the culinary world.

  But he loved his brother, so to appease him, he and his partners, who were also successful chefs, had gone ahead and purchased property in downtown Bay Point, at a very affordable price.

  However, Micah had not decided if he wanted to actually install one of his restaurants there. His partners, who each had an equal stake, argued that since he was the most famous chef of the trio, his name and his restaurant would be the best option.

  In other words, Micah was their golden ticket.