“Everyday. You show me too. Have I mentioned how much I love you, and how blessed I feel to have you as my husband?”
“Um, yeah. You might’ve mentioned it a few times.”
Rayne turned in his arms and cupped his face before kissing his sexy lips. “Let’s talk about this surprise you have for Stormy. Should I be concerned?”
“Nope. You have nothing to worry about.”
She leaned back and searched his dark eyes. “Okay, let me rephrase that question. Should I be concerned that you spent too much money?”
“Nope, but do me a favor. Call her down here, and you guys meet me in the family room.”
“Can whatever this is wait? Breakfast is going to get cold.”
“It won’t take long. Come on, just get her into the family room.” He kissed Rayne again before releasing her, then headed to the garage while she went to the stairs.
“Stormy, your dad is here,” Rayne called out.
Little feet pounded overhead. “Hey, Daddy! You’re back.” Stormy hurried down the stairs. “Are we still going to the… Where is he?” she asked, running into the kitchen and then looking out back.
“He said for us to meet him in the family room.”
Stormy ran ahead of her and hopped onto the leather sofa sectional. “Did he buy me something?” she asked, jumping up and down on the furniture.
“I don’t know, but sit down before you fall.”
“Ladybug, close your eyes,” Jerry said from somewhere nearby, but he stayed out of sight.
“Okay.” Stormy squealed as if he had already given her the surprise. Rayne smiled, not wanting to admit that she was a little curious and excited, too.
Jerry walked in, and Rayne’s mouth dropped open. “Jerry,” she said, the warning in her tone made it clear that she wasn’t happy about his surprise, but all he did was grin.
“Can I open my eyes now?” Stormy asked, her voice an octave higher than moments ago.
“Yeah, baby. Open your eyes.”
Stormy screamed and leaped off the sofa. “You got me a puppy! I can’t believe it. You got me a puppy. I’m so excited!” She hopped up and down. “Thank you, Daddy!”
“You’re welcome.”
“Can I hold him? What’s his name?” Questions flew from her mouth as Jerry got down on the floor with the shy, tiny Labrador retriever.
Rayne walked across the room. She wanted to be pissed that he hadn’t discussed this with her, but her daughter’s excitement wiped out any misgivings about them getting a puppy.
Stormy struggled to pick up the beautiful animal.
“Here let me help you. She’s a little shy.” Jerry scooped up the puppy and set her in Stormy’s arms. “She’s still a baby, Ladybug. We’re going to have to teach her right from wrong, make sure she doesn’t put the wrong things in her mouth, clean up after her, and most importantly, we have to love on her, okay?”
Stormy bobbed her head up and down, gently hugging the puppy. “I love her so much. What’s her name?”
Jerry knelt on the floor, staying close to her and the puppy. “What would you like to name her?”
“Umm…I’m going to call her Sunshine. Hi, Sunshine,” she cooed.
Rayne smiled at how affectionate Stormy was being and the name choice. Considering her child’s sunny disposition, she’s the one who should’ve been named Sunshine.
“Why don’t we put Sunshine down so she can start getting used to her new home.
Stormy followed the puppy around the room as Rayne and Jerry looked on.
“Shouldn’t we have discussed this little surprise?” Rayne asked him, unable to stop herself from petting the gorgeous puppy.
“Probably, but I couldn’t resist. Look at her.”
“Yeah, she is cute.”
“I just thought of something,” Jerry said, holding Rayne’s hand and guiding her to the sofa. “Now I live with a Rayne, Stormy, and a Sunshine. I wonder what’s next, Windy?”
Rayne laughed and elbowed him in the side. “I see you have jokes.”
He grinned and put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her close. “Our family is growing,” he said quietly as they watched Stormy play with the puppy.
“Yeah, it is.” She draped her arms across his midsection and laid her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for giving me a family.”
Jerry placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. “And thank you for taking a chance on me.”
Rayne looked up at him. “That was the best decision I ever made. I love you so much.”
He lowered his head, and his mouth stopped inches from hers. “And I love you more, Mrs. Jenkins.”
*
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About the Author
Award-winning and bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, is a romance-a-holic - loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award - Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net
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Other Titles
Atlanta’s Finest Series
Vindicated (book 1)
Indebted (book 2)
Accused (book 3)
Jenkins & Sons Construction Series (Contemporary Romance)
Love Under Contract
Proposal for Love
A Lesson on Love
Unplanned Love – Coming Soon
Jenkins Family Series (Contemporary Romance)
Best Woman for the Job (Short Story Prequel)
Still the Best Woman for the Job (book 1)
All You’ll Ever Need (book 2)
Tempting the Artist (book 3)
Negotiating for Love (book 4)
Seducing the Boss Lady (book 5)
Love at Last (Holiday Novella)
When Love Calls (Novella)
Reunited Series (Romantic Suspense)
Blue Roses (book 1)
Secret Rendezvous (Prequel to Rendezvous with Danger)
Rendezvous with Danger (book 2)
Truth or Consequences (book 3)
Operation Midnight (book 4)
Stand Alones
Something New (“Edgy” Sweet Romance)
Legal Seduction (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)
Sin City Temptation (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)
A Dose of Passion (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)
Model Attraction (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)
A Passionate Kiss (Bennett Triplets Series)
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